The tantalizing aroma of Thanksgiving turkey has wafted from the kitchen at the Salvation Army for days.

With 50 gobblers to roast before Thursday, cook Florence Barnes figured she’d better start early. In addition to the turkeys, 200 pounds of ham, 500 pounds of potatoes and 160 pounds of sweet potatoes are on the menu for her Thanksgiving feast.

Barnes has helped head up preparations for a community celebration on Thanksgiving Day, preserving a tradition started 27 years ago by Doug and Judy Wise. The Wises, owners of Sykes’ Restaurant, began hosting the free Thanksgiving meal in 1982.

Many local seniors and others have for years relied on the annual feast for food and fellowship.

After Sykes’ closed in August, volunteers stepped in to ensure the Thanksgiving tradition would continue.

The work has been a true community effort, with individuals and service organizations donating time and food for the meal. Salvation Army, Samaritan House, Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead, Prayer for the Harvest Ministries, former Sykes’ employees and others have worked to put the meal together.

“I think it’s par for what Doug and Judy Wise started at Sykes’,” Samaritan House executive director Chris Krager said.

Krager reflected on Sykes’ 10-cent bottomless cups of coffee, which he said conveyed the message, “You’re welcome to sit here and hang out.”

“They probably didn’t make a profit on the coffee. It was something they were doing for the community, to have something free for the community,” Krager said. “There’s something in that, that we all could learn from Doug and Judy.”

Samaritan House volunteered its administration building in Kalispell to host the meal, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead has coordinated the volunteers, and co-director Naomi Davidson has helped coordinate food donations.

Davidson hasn’t taken time to count the volunteers, but estimates between 100 and 150 people plan to give their time on Thursday. She has had to turn away as many people, she said, because there was no more room for volunteers.

“I just appreciate all the volunteers and want to thank the people that called that didn’t” get to volunteer, Davidson said. “I bet we turned away as many as we accepted.”

The food donations have been impressive as well, Barnes said. In addition to the scores of pounds of meat and potatoes, she expects to serve 96 dozen rolls, 256 cans of green beans and nearly 100 cans of cranberry sauce. She has 17 pounds of butter pats, and volunteers hope to have 200 cans of olives to serve.

Pies are under control as well, Barnes said. One Bigfork man ordered 100 pies from Costco for the dinner, she said, and churches across the valley have donated as many as they could bake. Dinner planners asked for 166 pies, but Barnes said she is certain they’ve received more than that.

“The community has really come behind to help us,” she said.

Volunteers began cooking sweet potatoes Tuesday, and dinner preparations continue today. Even with the cooking well under way, Barnes anticipates a busy Thursday. She and fellow cook Ray Miller will be in the kitchen by 4 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, she said.

The early hour is necessary because take-out meals will leave the building by 10 a.m., she explained. About 500 people who can’t get to the dinner will receive a feast at home; another 500 or more are expected at the administration building.

“I’m hoping we have the 1,000 people we’re planning on,” Barnes said.

Those who haven’t yet requested a take-home meal may still do so today, Davidson said. To get a take-home meal, call the Salvation Army at 257-4357.

The meal will be held at the Samaritan House administration building (the former armory building) near Peterson School at 1110 Second St. W. in Kalispell. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com