Whatcom County organizations and restaurants step up each year to offer free community meals for Thanksgiving. Donations are welcome at most of the events.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

The Salvation Army, 2912 Northwest Ave., Bellingham, is having a turkey dinner open to everyone at 5 p.m. People are asked to RSVP by calling 360-733-1410.

Thanksgiving Day

Five Columns Restaurant, 1301 E. Maple St., Bellingham, offers traditional Thanksgiving dinner served free to those 65 and over from noon to 2 p.m. Restaurant open noon to 8 p.m. for the Thanksgiving meal or for its regular dinner menu at usual prices. Call 360-676-9900 for reservations.

Old Town Cafe , 316 W. Holly St., Bellingham, serves its 40th annual free Thanksgiving dinner for everyone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event includes live entertainment.

American Legion Family Post 86 will serve a free community Thanksgiving feast with a traditional menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G. St. Event is open to everyone.

Good Burger's fifth annual free Thanksgiving dinner will be in a new location - Lee's Drive-In at James and Alabama streets in Bellingham. The traditional Thanksgiving meal served noon to 3 p.m. (despite the name, Lee's has lots of indoor seating). Good Burger, which has been in Laurel, is in the process of moving to Ferndale.

Friday, Nov. 23

Lighthouse Mission free community meal will be noon to 2 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church gym, 2116 Cornwall Ave. Usually about 500 people are served.

MORE MEALS

Is your organization or business offering free meals for the Thanksgiving holiday? To be included in this free listing, email the following to newsroom@bellinghamherald.com or drop off at our office, 1155 N. State St. in Bellingham: name of business or organization, time and date of event, address of event, what's being served and who is welcome to attend. Please put "free Thanksgiving meal" in the subject line. Deadline for submissions is noon Tuesday, Nov. 20.