Donations sought for annual dinner

For the 21st consecutive year, the homeless will be treated to Thanksgiving dinner at downtown's Gateway Park, hosted by volunteer Sharon Black's Kau Kau Wagon.

She is now collecting nonperishable donations and commitments of food for this year's feast, on Nov. 24. She is expecting at least 800 people.

Black has been serving lunch from her Kau Kau Wagon to the homeless every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for 21 years at Gateway Park, at Hotel and Bethel streets.

Donations of nonperishable items for the Thanksgiving event may be dropped off there on prior Saturdays. These items include fast-food coupons, clothes, toiletries, towels, blankets, toys, books and stuffed animals. Black said she is in need of secured refrigerated and other storage space for donations.

On the day of the feast, food and other items should be dropped off at 10:30 a.m. All food should be cooked and ready to serve.

Black already has 45 turkeys but is requesting five to 10 more, 30 to 35 hams, 35 pans of yams, vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, 30 dozen rolls, 45 bags of fresh fruit, 60 to 70 pies, 10 to 15 cans of whipped cream, snacks, 20 cases of bottled water, 20 gallons of juice and bagged ice.

Nonfood items that are needed: 700 takeout plates with lids; 300 strong paper plates; 1,000 each of napkins, forks, knives and spoons; 20 paper tablecloths; 15 serving tables, 6 feet long; 10 large tarps; large trash bags; large rolls of foil; three to five boxes of serving gloves; and disposable serving utensils.

For further information, and donation pledges, call Black at 398-6665 or e-mail kaukauwagon@aol.com.