JACKSON, Wyo. — There many opportunities for Jacksonites to give and say thanks this Thanksgiving holiday.
The meal sharing tradition of Thanksgiving signifies a time to gather, express gratitude and lend a hand to others in the community. A warm meal of turkey, stuffing and potatoes will be offered at several locations in Jackson. For those wanting to volunteer, contribute a dish and/or make a donation, here’s a list of organizations that spread holiday thankfulness.
Order a Thanksgiving meal at One22 Resource Center
Community members can now pre-order holiday offerings through the Jackson Cupboard at One22 Resource Center. One22 Resource Center is a community nonprofit, providing support for families facing financial challenges.
All the Thanksgiving trimmings, including cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, Brussel sprouts, gravy, canned pumpkin and/or freshly baked pumpkin pies are available through One22’s website. Rather than distribute free turkeys this year, the Jackson Cupboard has vouchers for people to pick up a turkey at Albertsons. Vouchers can also be used to purchase another item not offered at the Cupboard.
“One22 Resource Center is proud to be able to offer a variety of holiday grocery items at the Jackson Cupboard,” Associate Director of Food Assistance Ash Hermanowski said.
Anyone in Teton County, regardless of income, is eligible to use the Cupboard. The Cupboard will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday Nov. 24.
Hot meals courtesy of the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole
The Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole hosts a community meal on Weds Nov. 22 and every Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m.
“All are welcome, it’s a great time for fellowship and community, getting to know new friends and seeing old friends,” Reverend Ben Pascal said. “We have a wonderful chef and volunteer team, it’s a delicious meal and it’s a way to bless our community by inviting anyone who wants to come.”
All affiliations and out-of-town guests are welcome to join the weekly dinner.
The Senior Center of Jackson Hole provides their annual Thanksgiving lunch
The Senior Center of Jackson Hole will provide their annual community Thanksgiving lunch, courtesy of First Interstate Bank, on Tuesday Nov. 21, from 12–1 p.m.
“The Senior Center is open to all and we would love to see people come in and enjoy the holidays with us,” Senior Center Operations Manager Reanna New said. “You don’t need to be a senior to enjoy our activities and meals.”
A menu of roasted turkey, relish, cornbread, green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie for dessert will be provided. For seniors 60 years and older the Thanksgiving lunch is complimentary and for non-seniors the meal is $14. Meal pick-up is available starting at 12:45 p.m. and participants must bring their own containers.
The Senior Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Lunch reservations are required and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 307-733-7300.
The Elks Lodge hosts a free meal on Thanksgiving day
Come one, come all to the big turkey dinner served with all the fixings and pie at the Elks Lodge on Thursday Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Elks Lodge member Matt Hall remembers approximately 100 people enjoying last year’s holiday feast.
“Everyone should celebrate Thanksgiving and everyone is welcome to come as an individual or with a group,” Hall said.
Good Samaritan Mission offers meal to those in need
A traditional turkey meal will also be served at the Good Samaritan Mission on Thanksgiving day at 5:30 p.m. The free meal is open to all community members.
Good Samaritan Mission provides lodging and meals to anyone in need and their mission is to help the hungry, hurting and homeless of Teton County
There are a number of ways to volunteer from food preparation to cleaning and maintenance. Donations of gently worn clothing and other gifts in kind will be repurposed to those who need it most.
Wyoming Hunger Initiative provides meals across the state
First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative will help provide Thanksgiving meals across the state.
The Wyoming Hunger Initiative works with regional directors to identify where the community meals and distributions take place, Gordon’s office told Buckrail. This year, the organization donated $60,000, distributed across the state’s 23 counties.
“Food pantries and anti-hunger organizations across the state continue to stretch to (or beyond) capacity because of the continued increased demand on resources, making it difficult to budget for Thanksgiving meals provided to those who would otherwise go without,” First Lady Jennie Gordon wrote via email. “Let’s make sure that no one goes without this holiday season. Thanks for joining the fight.”
The One22 Resource Center, the Good Samaritan Mission and The Elks Lodge of Teton County were all recipients of Wyoming Hunger Initiative funds this holiday season.
A full list of food resources in Jackson Hole can be found online at jhfoodhelp.com.
