With enough turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie to feed 600 people, Carson City’s long-held tradition of a community Thanksgiving continued Thursday with plenty of kindness to go around.
Gratitude came with generous helpings of thanks and a delicious, nourishing meal that was dished up and served by more than 70 volunteers at the Plaza Conference Center.
And it couldn’t have happened without the volunteers. For the team of Franceska Quintana and daughter Victoria, spending the holiday helping others is most important.
“We want to give back to our community as it has done so much for us — we have been here a long and are sports affiliated. Our community is important to us,” said Franceska. “It is nice to be embraced and give love and smiles to those who may need it right now.”
FISH Executive Director Jim Peckham said the organization has been involved with Thanksgiving meals in the community for at least 30 years, with the last dozen years or so at the Carson Nugget and now at the Plaza Conference Center venue.
“It’s great for the community and we’re happy that it continues because it’s a good way for those who are alone or are lonely, who are poor, or who are families or those who don’t have families with them to come and enjoy a good meal,” said Peckham.
Coordinating the food effort was Billy Lavelle of Calvary Chapel and The Bus Boy Mobile Cuisine. He explained how preparation was to cook up for 600. They did it with the help of a number of food trucks, including Metal Chicken that did 200 pounds of mashed potatoes; Javier and his wife from Ponchos Tacos who did 12 hams and the dressing, Candy Burger who did the cranberry sauce, and 500 pounds of turkey that was smoked by Carson City Barbecue. Teams of volunteers from First Calvary Chapel and First Presbyterian Church of Carson City were also involved.
Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong has volunteered on Thanksgiving for 22 years. He said it has been great to watch the annual dinner evolve over time, becoming a community event with locals helping locals or those who are coming through the area who otherwise might not have an opportunity for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
“Thanksgiving is about family and the city is a family and so often we can forget about those who are in need, especially those who are coming through, who don’t have a family to sit around the table with. They can come here, sit together and share a meal together as a family,” said Sheriff Furlong.
Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell has also been volunteering at the Thanksgiving event for 14 years. She noted how the FISH organization, as all local nonprofits, is important to the community addressing needs and helping people find solutions.
“A Carson City tradition that continues, you can count on FISH,” she said. “What is unique about FISH is they help people in our community find solutions work and work with them to bring a successful outcome. People come to FISH from all walks of life, and over times in their life. FISH works to access what people need and helps them on the path of success. It is a hand up, not a hand out approach. They help guide and work with people to help them change their lives.”
