Don’t go hungry

On a night in November last year, there were as many as 3,665 people living on the streets in Sacramento County. And every year, local food banks, churches and good samaritans give away tens of thousands of turkeys to community members who may not be homeless, but still can't afford the Thanksgiving traditon. It sucks: we're going to have a lot of hungry neighbors this season. You might be one of them. Or you might be lucky. If you're newly in need, or interested in helping out, here's a list of free community Thanksgiving meals being held during the week, open to anyone—even your pup, depending on the place. Some are looking for volunteers, too. Give back, get fed, get warm and give warmth.

Wednesday, November 21

Where: Shiloh Baptist/Oak Park Community Center, 3425 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Oak Park)

When: 11 a.m–3 p.m.; Coat distribution beginning at 10 a.m.

Seeking volunteers?: Yes.

Contact: (916) 452-5052

Where: Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 1701 L Street (Midtown/Downtown)

When: Noon–3 p.m.

Dogs welcome?: Yes.

Seeking volunteers?: No.

Food donations accepted?: Yes.

Contact: Rebecca Noble, (916) 444-0874

Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Avenue (Downtown)

When: 6 p.m.–7 p.m.

Seeking volunteers?: Yes.

Food donations accepted?: Yes. Through the River City Food Bank.

Contact: (916) 446-2513

Where: Union Gospel Mission, 400 Bannon Street (Downtown)

When: Wednesday, November 21; 8:30 p.m. (must attend service at 7:30 p.m.)

Seeking volunteers?: Yes.

Food donations accepted?: Yes.

Contact: (916) 447-3268

Thursday, November 22

Where: Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road (Meadowview)

When: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Seeking volunteers?: Yes.

Contact: (916) 808-6680 (Call for reservation prior to Thursday.) For volunteering, contact Diann Cohen at dianncohen@yahoo.com.

Where: Sacramento LGBT Community Center, 1927 L Street (Downtown)

When: Noon–2 p.m.

Dogs welcome?: Yes.

Seeking volunteers?: Yes.

Food donations accepted?: Yes.

Contact: Marcy Basila, (916) 442-0185; marcy.basila@saccenter.org.

Where: Davis Community Meals at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 640 Hawthorne Lane (Davis)

When: 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Dogs welcome?: Yes.

Seeking volunteers?: No.

Food donations accepted?: Yes.

Contact: Bill Pride, (530) 756-4008

Friday, November 23

Where: Salvation Army's Center of Hope Shelter, 1200 North B Street (Downtown)

When: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Seeking volunteers?: No.

Food donations accepted?: Yes.

Contact: (916) 442-0331

Where: Cordova Neighborhood Church, 10600 Coloma Road (Rancho Cordova).

When: 5 p.m.–6 p.m.

Seeking volunteers?: Yes.

Food donations accepted?: Yes.

Contact: (916) 635-5992