Free Thanksgiving dinners served around Flathead Valley

A generous host of free Thanksgiving dinners are available around the Flathead Valley. Members of the community are welcome to feel at home and enjoy both their food and fellowship.

The Pocketstone Café in Bigfork will host its 10th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. Free to all who come, the Pocketstone welcomes those who cannot or would prefer not to celebrate Thanksgiving on their own.

Although the event took a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the dinner is back this year. This year the cafe is under new ownership. Well-seasoned restaurateurs Marcus and Shelley Shahen took ownership of the cafe Nov. 1 and are eager to continue with this Thanksgiving tradition.

“This connection with the community is one of the things we found so endearing about the cafe,” Marcus said “We’re delighted to carry it on.”

More than just a meal, the Pocketstone Cafe offers a true Thanksgiving experience with a sumptuous menu and a cordial atmosphere. The menu includes soup, turkey, dressing, potatoes, yams, vegetable and dessert. All are welcome, but the cafe requests that those who would like to attend call for reservations as seating is limited.

There will be no charge for the meal. Food preparation, serving and cleanup is done by community volunteers and the food is donated by the cafeé. For those who are able and choose to contribute, a donation jar will be available. Those who would like to help with the meal are invited to volunteer. All contributions will be given to the Bigfork Food Pantry to kick off its Christmas season.

Three seatings on Thanksgiving Day will be available: 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The Pocketstone Café is located at 444 Electric Ave. in Bigfork. Call 406-837-7223 for reservations or to volunteer.

Except for this dinner, the Pocketstone Cafe will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Sykes’ Diner has been offering its free Thanksgiving dinner for more than 40 years. The dinner is open to anyone and all are welcome. Everyone is welcome.

The restaurant will offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

For delivery, order in advance by 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21. Folks can get in line from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day for to-go orders.

Donations are welcome. For more details, call 406-257-4304.

Christ Lutheran Church is hosting a free community Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24.

The church is located at 5150 River Lake Pkwy., in Whitefish. For more information, call 406-862-2615.

Bigfork VFW 4042 is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal beginning at 4 p.m. until the food is all gone. To-go orders are available for those unable to attend in person.

Family Life Christian Church, located at 1075 Foy’s Lake Road in Kalispell, is planning a free Thanksgiving dinner for delivery or pick up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

Sign-up sheets may be completed and returned to the church by Sunday, Nov. 20. Alternatively, call the church at 406-257-9315 to sign up. Office hours are 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

The Glacier Queer Alliance is hosting a “QueersGiving Friendsgiving-style” community potluck social on Nov. 24 for the LGBTQ+ community.

The social begins at noon with dinner at 1 p.m. and will be held at the Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., in Kalispell.

Go to https://www.glacierqueeralliance.org/ to sign up and see what others are bringing.

The Alliance is also holding bake sales during the holidays at Big Mountain Botanicals, located at 5932 U.S. 93 S., in Whitefish, on the following Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.: Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.