Whitworth family Thanksgiving feeding Pocatello for 25th year
For nearly a quarter century, the Whitworth family has been feeding the homeless and needy of Pocatello on Thanksgiving.
It’s a family tradition that Raena Evans married into. Evans has been involved since she and her husband married nearly 15 years ago and even before she got married, her husband told her what to expect every year, come Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Though she hasn’t had a “regular” Thanksgiving in years, this is her “new normal.”
This year between 600 and 700 people are expected to come out for dinner. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy are to be served Thursday. And although it’s only a few hours of eating, it takes nearly three days and nearly a hundred volunteers to pull it off.
Lin Whitworth’s daughter, Peggy Evans, recalls the first years the dinner was held. Originally, Whitworth and Mary Lloyd held the event in her Main Street restaurant. When Lloyd moved, just two years later, Whitworth was asked to take over the dinners and the rest is history.
Held at the Senior Activity Center off of 6th Ave in Pocatello, Peggy is grateful not only for the use of the space but also all those who come to help out.
“We’re just so thankful for the donations and the people that volunteer to help us because even the 50 family members that I have coming to help me, we just couldn’t do it without the volunteers.”
Local businesses like Costco, Nel’s Bi-Lo and ButterBurr’s make sizable contributions to the event every year. In fact, this year, Costco donated all 30 of the turkeys that will be prepared for Thursday.
