Eat All About It: Giving thanks in whatever fashion

Preparing the Thanksgiving meal is considered a tradition for many families.

It’s how recipes are passed down, from what specifically goes into the turkey stuffing to how to prepare the rolls that will accompany the feast. Memories are made in the kitchen as a younger generation picks up where their parents and grandparents left off.

But that tradition also can require hours, if not days, of preparation. It can lead to bitter disagreements over how to prepare a dish. And it can be an expensive undertaking for small families, as it costs at least $50 to prepare the standard fixings, according to organizations such as the Farm Bureau.

That’s where Kennewick’s Country Gentleman likes to step in. The restaurant is offering a Thanksgiving buffet for the ninth year on Turkey Day, opening its doors at 9221 W. Clearwater Ave. for several hours. Co-owner Steve Simmons said they have reservations for 1,000 people and have had a wait list for weeks.

“It’s become quite popular,” he said.

The buffet will offer typical Thanksgiving fare, including turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed and scalloped potatoes and green bean casserole. There’s also baked ham and tri-tip, a myriad of pies and other desserts, a corn casserole and six types of salads. Many are based on recipes from Stevens’ mother, including the signature cranberry dish, made from fresh cranberries and oranges.

Simmons said he and others at the restaurant have worked hard to be able to offer the dinner while still giving their staff time to be with their families. While most may not picture Thanksgiving in a restaurant, there’s a demand for the service, he said, particularly from smaller families who may not want to prepare the full meal.

“We try to make it as family oriented as possible,” Simmons said.

And while most customers will eat in the restaurant’s dining room or event center, about 100 meals will be picked up as takeout, mostly by folks looking to take them to people who live alone or don’t have family nearby.

“Those are the ones who pull at our heartstrings,” Simmons said.

Helping others give thanks

Those looking to help those in need this Thanksgiving or during the extended holiday season have a number of options.

The Union Gospel Mission already has enough volunteers for its Thanksgiving celebration but is looking for volunteers in the coming week, including during its Christmas banquet. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities here. There’s also a running list of various pantry items needed available here.

The Salvation Army will have a free, community Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at its headquarters at 1219 Thayer Drive in Richland. Sponsors include the Salvation Army, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Battelle, Kiwanis Key Club and Old Country Buffet. To learn more or to donate, call 509-547-2138.

The Tri-Cities Food Bank will be closed on Thanksgiving and the following day for the holiday but you can learn about ongoing opportunities to lend a hand here.

Food distributor 2nd Harvest always welcomes cash donations, volunteer help and encourages others to organize food drives. Learn more about how to help here.

And if you want to help others this holiday season while enjoying regional wines, Wine Yakima Valley is offering the Thanksgiving in Wine Country Taste to Fight Hunger.

A number of wineries up and down the Yakima Valley will have donation boxes in their tasting rooms for patrons who stop by from Nov. 27-29. In Prosser, 14 Hands and Côte Bonneville are offering special deals or gifts with some wine purchases during that time, while Hightower Cellars will waive tasting fees for anyone who makes a donation.

You can learn more about the tour and participating wineries here.

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Eat All About It: Giving thanks in whatever fashion."