For the past 35 years, the Arlington Council Knights of Columbus
has organized a huge community Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings and
then some, providing meals for 200 to 300 guests in person as well as hundreds
more delivered to shelters, low-income communities and Meals on Wheels
recipients.
In recent years, as many as 3,000 people have partaken of the
feast and an army of volunteers has juggled turkeys and the logistics of
deliveries, said Kate McMorrow, who is co-organizing this year’s event with husband
Myles.
But this year, of course, is different.
“The COVID-19 virus has greatly impacted our procedures,” notes
the website of the Arlington Council, which covers four parishes — St. Ann, St.
Charles, St. Agnes and St. James.
For the first time in 35 years, the Knights said, federal and
state restrictions are causing the group to no longer accept cooked turkeys —
all turkeys will be bought by the Columbus Club and cooked in-house by a small,
dedicated number of Knights.
Also, no meals will be served in the Main Hall — there will be delivery
only.
The Knights are seeking donations to help defray the costs of
purchasing turkeys and side dishes. Also needed are drivers to deliver meals “to all the clients we have
served in the past.”
Find out more
To donate or volunteer, go to Arlingtonknights.org and choose
“Thanksgiving Day” fund on the Knights’ donation site, or call the council
office at 703/536-9656, ext. 320. Donation checks may be made out to Arlington Knights,
Council 2473, and sent to 5115 Little Falls Rd., Arlington, VA 22207.
