At least four locations across Anchorage will serve free meals on Thanksgiving, offering individuals and families a place to turn for both celebration and company during the holiday.
Bean's Café, at 1100 E. Third Ave., said in a statement Wednesday that more than 100 volunteers -- its full capacity for helpers on Thanksgiving -- will be turning out to serve an estimated 1,200 people on Thursday.
"Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for handicapped and elderly clients; first seating and meal service will begin at 11 a.m.," Bean's staff wrote. "Meals will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or until everyone is served."
Lisa Sauder, executive director of the café and its school-lunch program Children's Lunchbox, said all of the café's food requests for Thanksgiving have been met, after staff made a second appeal for donations through social media.
"We were concerned because the donations were kind of late coming in this year," Sauder said. "The community just stepped up and provided us with everything we needed for the meal, so we're just really grateful."
Bean's, which usually serves about 800 people a day, expects to serve everyone who shows up for Thanksgiving dinner. Sauder said staff hope to have enough leftovers to serve a "Thanksgiving lunch" on Friday.
"We never want to turn anyone away on Thanksgiving -- and of course, people like to have seconds," Sauder said.
Bean's is still seeking donations of toilet paper, tissues, hats, gloves and socks. Anyone interested in making donations, or volunteering during the holiday season, can contact the café through its website.
About 20 spots are also available for free Thanksgiving meals at the Hard Rock Café Anchorage, 415 E St., but are "filling up quickly," according to café spokesman Adam Keller. Anyone interested in coming should call Keller at 907-348-3782 to make reservations.
"We'll be open on Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so it's going to be first come, first served," Keller said. "We're hoping just for people in need."
According to Keller, Hard Rock has coordinated with Anchorage hospitals as well as Children's Lunchbox to fill some of its available seating for the holiday. Sauder said the group, which typically provides lunch to about 3,000 children a day across 11 elementary schools, spoke with educators and asked them to recommend families who needed the meal most.
"We reached out to all of the schools to make all of them aware," Sauder said. "They were able to connect with those families and let them know -- we also put it out on social media."
Kriner's Diner, at 2409 C St., will also be offering a free Thanksgiving meal to those in need, as well as other customers, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any tips will be donated to Children's Lunchbox.
"We give our employees the day off so the WHOLE Kriner family can serve you turkey dinner!" Kriner's staff wrote on the restaurant's Facebook page. "If you don't feel like cooking or you're away from your loved ones, you're invited!"
The Union of Students at the University of Alaska Anchorage will also be serving a free Thanksgiving meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the main UAA campus in the Gorsuch Commons at 3700 Sharon Gagnon Lane.
"(M)embers of USUAA and many other students volunteer to serve a full, hot Thanksgiving dinner to the UAA community," USUAA officials wrote on their website. "Anchorage community members have also traditionally been invited."
Sauder said she wasn't aware of any other free Thanksgiving dinners being served Thursday, as many charitable institutions close for the holiday.
"Part of our mission is to be open 365 days a year, because we serve a community that needs assistance every single day," Sauder said.
At the Hard Rock, Keller said staff would be accepting donations for Children's Lunchbox, but those coming to eat won't be required to bring anything.
"Just a healthy appetite," Keller said.
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Free Thanksgiving meals will be available in Anchorage at the following locations and times:
Bean's Café
1101 E. Third Ave.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hard Rock Café Anchorage
415 E St.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (limited availability; call 907-348-3782 for reservations)
Kriner's Diner
2409 C St.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (open to the public)
Union of Students at UAA
Gorsuch Commons (3700 Sharon Gagnon Lane)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.