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46 °F 5 Day Forecast Wednesday, December 3, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 25, 2003 Ashland charity falls short of turkeys for its free meal BY BILL CHOY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — A nonprofit group that feeds hundreds of people Thanksgiving dinner for free, needs turkeys and other fixings for the popular event. Caring Friends has only nine turkeys and five hams for Thursday’s dinner so far, said founder Marty Bryant. He said the group usually has about 100 birds by now and usually receives about 200 in all. "We’re very low this year" due to a late start publicizing the need for donations, Bryant said. "It’s the lowest ever. We need a lot more turkeys to help the community." The Thanksgiving dinner, set from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at the National Guard Armory on East Main Street, attracts hundreds of people for the free meal. Donated turkeys also are given to organizations such as the Ashland Food Bank and migrant farm workers. Advertisement "Not one of the turkeys goes to waste," Bryant said. Bryant said he is confident people will come together at the last minute and help out. "We’ll get enough items," he said. "Ashland is a very caring community and has been very supportive. "It’s a needed event. It shows the community people care, have love for others, and don’t mind sharing what they have." Besides turkeys, the group needs other food to go with the meal, including the ingredients for stuffing. In addition to the Thanksgiving dinner, Caring Friends offers a weekly meal at Pioneer Hall for the homeless and low- income people, and has volunteers deliver meals to shut-ins. The group also assists those displaced by disasters such as floods and fires. Last month, Bryant was concerned Caring Friends could fold due to a lack of volunteers for its weekly events. Bryant said organizers were able to recruit more volunteers and will continue. There always have been enough volunteers during Thanksgiving, and the annual Thanksgiving event would have continued regardless, he said. To donate to the Thanksgiving event, call 482-9634 or 245-6980. Turkeys and hams can also be dropped off at O’Ryans Irish Pub at 137 E. Main St. Bill Choy is a reporter for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times