2600 Pounds Of Turkey Roasted For Thanksgiving Day Buffet At DECC

It's a favorite local tradition for many, the 26th annual Twin Ports Thanksgiving Day Buffet.  Everyone is invited to enjoy a free turkey dinner with all the usual Thanksgiving trimmings on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.  It will be held at the DECC from 11a - 4p.

There are also satellite locations in Carlton, Cloquet and Two Harbors, and 1,300 home bound  residents in the Twin Ports were able to call and order home deliveries. In total, an estimated 6,000 meals will be served this year.  At the DECC there is musical entertainment and Santa will be spending the day to visit with the children.

I have served on the Thanksgiving Day Buffet committee for 18 years.  It's such an incredible feeling of camaraderie with people working together with the College of St. Scholastica, the community and almost 1,000 dedicated volunteers.

Monica Hendrickson, event coordinator says, "No one should be alone or unable to provide a meal to their loved ones on this special day of Thanksgiving. It’s all about giving back and we hope we can continue this tradition for years to come.”

The meal features locally grown and locally provided foods as much as possible. It's amazing the amount of food that is prepared and if anything is leftover it is donated to the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank:

·  2,600 pounds of roasted turkey
·  2,200 pounds of potatoes (peeled, boiled and mashed)
·  6,000 dinner rolls
·  500 pounds of root vegetables
·  150 gallons of gravy

Larry Goodwin, St. Scholastica's President will be retiring from the college next year. During his tenure, he has made it his commitment to help people in need in the community that's why the Thanksgiving Buffet will be in his honor.
The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) bus service will be offering free shuttles from the Holiday Center to the DECC and continuous bus transportation will be available throughout the day, following the DTA Sunday bus schedule. Call 722-SAVE (722-7283) for times or check the bus schedules at duluthtransit.com. Here are a few of the DTA locations where participants can catch a ride to the DECC:

Duluth:
·  CHUM Drop-In Center, 125 N. 1st Ave. W.
·  Damiano Center, 206 W 4th St.
·  Downtown Shuttle/TCE

Superior:
·  Royalton Manor, 1901 New York Ave.
·  N. 14th Street and Tower Avenue
·  Clifford Lund Apartments,914 Tower Ave.
·  Solid Rock Mission,1004 N. 6th St.

Thanksgiving Buffet meals will also be served at the following satellite locations:
·  Carlton – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public House (Formerly Cozy Café), 214 Chestnut Ave.
·  Cloquet – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 615 12th St., use Door 2
·  Two Harbors – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Two Harbors Moose Lodge, 709 First Ave.