Warm meals, care shared in Mission Valley communities
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MISSION VALLEY — Three free Thanksgiving Day Community Dinners are set to be prepared and served or packaged in different areas of the Mission Valley. Each dinner event provides a unique story of how it began and why it remains important to the people served and the people serving.
Polson
For over 20 years, Tracy Plaisse has coordinated, cooked and served Thanksgiving dinners for the town of Polson and surrounding areas. Plaisse explains that it’s simply something that “Needs to be done.” Whether for a family of five or a thousand, executing a Thanksgiving dinner requires skills not everyone has. According to Plaisse, Thanksgiving dinner is a project. The time and expertise to pull off the traditional meal just doesn’t automatically exist in every family. Cognizant of the many single parents struggling to put together a holiday meal, Plaisse has made a point of having the local schools send home information about the availability of a free Thanksgiving dinner. She’s not sure what all the reasons are for the need, but supposes health issues and financial constraints can’t be far off the mark. The ever-increasing number of partakers proves the need.
Since Covid, the number of dinners served has risen from approximately 555 in 2019 to over 1,874 in 2023. This year, the more than 900 calls for reservations as of Thursday, Nov. 21, (six days prior to the 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, reservation deadline), indicates the number will continue to climb.
Plaisse added that she thinks it’s “important to retain the one holiday where we remember the blessings we have.”
Those who called in reservations to 406-493-7566 by the Wednesday, Nov. 27, 10 p.m. deadline, can pick up their meals at the Elks Lodge, 512 Main Street, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Ronan
Off and on for the past 10 years, Brandy Chisholm has given back to the Ronan community by volunteering at the annual Ronan Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Marie Cowan of the
Uptown Café opened her restaurant to serve her community a free Thanksgiving dinner over 20 years ago. Cheri Houle continued the tradition after Cowan passed away and now various volunteers like Brennin Grainey and Jamie Buhr feel a commitment to carry on. Chisholm commented about the heart of the strong community saying, “It’s humbling how generous the community is and … there’s so much community support.”
Even prior to Covid, as many as 200 to 300 residents participate in the annual event. For a couple of years during Covid, the event only provided pick-up meals, but attendees enjoy a sit-down Thanksgiving feast, held at the Ronan Community Center. A few deliveries are made in the area as well as in Arlee and Polson.
Chisholm said her favorite part of the dinner happens as she watches people come through the door and then say the blessing together. She encourages the public to join them.
Pie donations are accepted at Valley Bank and Ronan Glacier Bank. Volunteers are still needed.
The Ronan Community Thanksgiving Dinner takes place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center, 300 Third Ave. NW, on Thanksgiving Day. For more information call Brandy Chisholm at 406-250-8808.
St. Ignatius
Ten years ago, Kamimi Ashley felt called to a ministry of feeding her community. On the last Thursday of each month between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the St. Ignatius Senior Center’s parking lot, Ashley gives out approximately 150 meals in a drive-by fashion. As part of the St. Ignatius community for the past 55 years and compelled by her faith to take care of the less fortunate, she said she is often surprised by the different people who come through who she has never seen before. Ashley remains the only one of the original five people who created the monthly meal program; the others have moved away. So far, volunteers with the calling in their heart, help her cook and serve the meals. There are no requirements and no judgement about participation. Meals are served until the food is gone.
S & K Technologies makes a small donation but other than that Ashley pays for the food herself. Between 150 and 200 people are expected at the Thanksgiving meal. For Thanksgiving, all are welcome to pick-up meals or join in a sit-down meal inside the senior center between noon and 2 p.m. The menu includes turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, rolls, desserts and drink. Ashley encourages attendees to bless others in need, the elderly, the sick or whoever and bring them a to-go meal.
If you would like to help give to those in the community in need, please bring hats, gloves and winter gear. There will be a table for people to pick what they need for winter. Adult and children’s sizes are always welcome and appreciated by families that come. Be part of the smiles and hope. Call Ashley with your questions at 406-273-8203.
