PORT ANGELES – Everyone had a good reason for attending Serenity House’s 24th annual community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, which fed about 100 people.
But for some, the best reason wasn’t the plentiful food.
“The water heater went out at my house, so that’s why I’m here,” said James Afenir of Port Angeles as he finished his dinner at the Single Adult Shelter, 2321 W. 18th St., Port Angeles.
Afenir is a former Serenity House resident who has moved into his own home.
A part to fix the heater must be shipped from California and won’t be in Port Angeles until Nov. 28, he said.
Tina and Jon Jones of Port Angeles, eating dinner with their daughter Nichelle, also had a good reason for letting someone else do the shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning up.
“I’ve been in and out of the hospital the past couple of days, and I didn’t want to cook,” Tina said.
Serenity House staff and volunteers were prepared to serve at least 100 guests as well as the shelter’s 50 residents from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The meal draws people from throughout Clallam County, and often a few from elsewhere.
People began filtering in at 1 p.m. to join the volunteers who had taken a break and began eating early.
The dining room’s relaxed atmosphere – which included one card game – was a sharp contrast to the kitchen area, where preparations had been under way all week.