For the 16th year, hundreds of people will share their Thanksgiving holiday together at the Coupeville Recreation Hall.
Coupeville’s Community Potluck begins at noon Thanksgiving Day and goes until 2:30 p.m. or until food runs out.
A loose-knit group of volunteers will cook the holiday staples as the main course, and it’s up to the people who show up to bring the side dishes, said Sandey Brandon, event volunteer. But you don’t have to bring a side to eat.
So far, the group has 13 turkeys and about a half dozen hams donated for the meal.
In the beginning, the meal was supported by some local businesses but over the years has grown into an independent program.
The turkeys and hams are donated by the volunteers and each year, without being asked, guests have donated cash to help support the cost of plates, utensils, table cloths and other supplies.
“This year we’re adding sparkling cider,” Brandon said.
The event is alcohol and smoke free.
“The fun thing is seeing what sides we get,” Brandon said. “Some years we get a lot of potatoes, and some years we don’t get enough.
“We get some vegan dishes.”
In addition to the residents attending, Brandon said tourists visiting Coupeville and families with loved ones in the hospital also enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at the rec hall.
“We make plates to go for shut-ins, and we give away all the food at the end,” Brandon said. “We often get emergency crews stopping in to take food back. We’re prepared for all that.”
The event runs pretty smoothly each year and has a good amount of volunteers in place. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can always use help cleaning up at the end.
“Every year it comes together beautifully,” Brandon said.
With an average of 220 people attending each year, the only difficulty the group encounters is having enough room. Guests come to eat and then spend several hours visiting with new and old friends.
Brandon said the group has thought about moving the event to a larger location, but they just really like the feel in the rec hall.
“Come and enjoy, and hopefully you find a place to sit,” she said.
