The needy have received their Thanksgiving baskets and volunteers are putting the finishing touches on preparations for festive community dinners in Oak Harbor and Coupeville as Whidbey Island prepares for another memorable Thanksgiving Day.

Thanks to the charity of many, even North Whidbey’s neediest residents will be able to sit down to a classic Thanksgiving dinner at home tomorrow.

Jean Wieman, executive director of Help House, said there is an increased demand for food assistance this holiday season. Exactly why that is, she can’t say. “I wish I knew,” she said Monday as she organized volunteers for another day of handing out all the fixings for holiday meals. “I can’t figure it out.”

Help House has received 250 more requests this year than last year for holiday food baskets, mostly from civilians in need. “Our warehouse is showing it,” Wieman said. Thanksgiving donations started coming in and the food situation improved so there’s food enough for this holiday, but plenty more will be needed for Christmas.

Help House assembled 183 family food baskets for an estimated 650 military dependents on Friday and started helping the civilian population on Monday. “We’re anticipating doing 300 to 450 civilian families,” Wieman said. Many turkeys were purchased at the commissary through cash donations, while about 200 others were donated by people participating in a turkey giveaway program at Market Place foods.

After finishing up the last of the baskets today, the Help House crew will take Thursday and Friday off to enjoy the holiday. Then they’ll start getting ready for the busy Christmas season.

Donation hours at Help House are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop off donations at 1091 SE Hathaway St. in Oak Harbor. For information call 675-0681.

Meanwhile, islanders will will be flocking to Thanksgiving dinners in Oak Harbor and Coupeville tomorrow to enjoy the holiday with friends and other community members. There’s no charge and everyone is welcome.

In Coupeville, the traditional potluck Thanksgiving dinner will be served from noon to 2 p.m. at the Recreation Hall. Call 678-0377 for information.

In Oak Harbor, several thousand Thanksgiving dinners will be served up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 115 NE Ernst St. If you’re working or stuck at home on the holiday, a free meal will be delivered. Just call 675-7111 on Thanksgiving Day.