Sonoma’s traditional free Thanksgiving dinner, to go

For years, the Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma’s Rotary, Vintage House and many, others have teamed up to serve over 500 free Thanksgiving dinners to local residents. Led by an all-volunteer crew, the free dinner has become a much-loved tradition in the Sonoma Valley, bringing together a broad cross-section of the community.

This year’s Free Thanksgiving Dinner will take place as a drive-through with warm meals available for curbside pickup at the Community Center. Meals will be provided pre-packaged and sized as either a meal for two or for a family of four.

Longtime Sonoma Community Center volunteer, Rotarian and turkey master Gary Edwards (pictured), along with his co-chef Daniel Quijada, will once again lead the dinner preparations.  As always the meal will be made using locally sourced, fresh ingredients and will include all the traditional Thanksgiving fare.

“Although we are unable to come together in person and enjoy a meal with our friends and neighbors we believe the need is too great, and the tradition too important, to cancel this year,” according to the Center’s Josh Cutler, “we hope everyone enjoys a safe and healthy Thanksgiving while keeping our community in their thoughts.”

Celebrate, but don’t congregate

Local groups and individuals including Bright Event Rentals, Paul’s Produce, Sonoma Market, Clover Dairy, and Joanne Romanini Distributing have also donated supplies and ingredients for the event.  As in previous years, Vintage House will provide all of the desserts for the dinner, starring classic pumpkin and pecan pies.

The Free Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, at the Sonoma Community Center.  Drive-through service will start at 1 p.m. continue until the food runs out. Meals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome to attend.

Though there is no cost to pick-up a meal, donations are gratefully accepted to help offset the cost of producing the event.

More information about the Free Thanksgiving Dinner and the Sonoma Community Center is available online or at 938-4626.