Serving holiday cheer

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By Jody Ferres | Wednesday, November 22, 2006 1:08 AM CST | () comments

Photos by Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES Volunteer Jim Fries of Blue Grass, Iowa, carves a turkey before the meals were served Tuesday afternoon at the annual Thanksgiving dinner provided by Friendly House. Another meal was served Tuesday night to neighbors of the agency that has its headquarters at 1221 Myrtle St., Davenport.

North Scott Junior High School eighth-grader Claire Gottschalk serves up turkey dinners to senior citizens at the annual Thanksgiving dinner provided Tuesday afternoon at Friendly House in Davenport. Students from the North Scott Junior High School family consumer sciences class helped serve meals.

A Thanksgiving staple has given joy back to members of the community once again.

It’s a place residents know they can go not only to play bingo or make ceramics, but also to get a big plate of turkey and dressing every November.

The Friendly House in Davenport hosted its annual Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday. More than 300 people took advantage of the free meal and a chance to mingle.

“It’s a way to come in and relax and for neighbors to see each other,” said Katie Kyte, marketing developing supervisor at the facility. “It’s something little we can do for them.”

The Davenport Noon Optimist Club and several other Quad-City sponsors provide funding for the meal. Fixing dinner for 300 is no small feat, and the event was split into two meals. At noon, senior citizens and Friendly House program participants enjoyed the spread, while families and children were invited for an evening feast that included children’s games, inflatables and family-oriented activities.

The Friendly House staff and volunteers aren’t exactly sure when the Thanksgiving tradition started. All they know is they’d better keep it going.

“It’s been going for at least 50 years,” Kyte said. “Some people can remember individuals in here cooking turkeys all night for the big meal.”

With about 25 volunteers and lots of roasters, the Friendly House staff and volunteers don’t have to stay up all night to finish the homemade feast these days.

Louise Baker, 97, has been a Friendly House guest for more than 90 years. She remembers going to kindergarten when the building was still in the Bucktown area.

“You just see a lot of people here, especially at the dinner,” added Baker, who comes to Friendly House weekly to play bingo and for crafts. “It’s real good food. I have a family to go to on Thanksgiving, but this is my other family.”

For Friendly House visitor John Luppen of Davenport, the meal is the only turkey dinner he gets.

“I’m by myself and, for a lot of people who don’t have much, this helps them out,” added Luppen, who comes to the facility every morning for a cup of coffee and to read the newspaper. “I only live two blocks away, so I come here often. It’s pretty friendly.”

Contact the city desk at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.