COEUR d'ALENE - For the 13th straight year, Mike and Vickie Hillicoss will be putting on a free Thanksgiving meal in Coeur d'Alene.

And as in previous years, they're expecting more than 500 to show up for the dinner, dessert, music and fellowship.

As usual, they're looking forward to leading an energetic team of more than 100 volunteers who will serve up turkey and potatoes and vegetables from noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 24.

There's just one problem. So far, donations add up to $50. Normally by this time, with less than two weeks remaining, there would be about $1,000 in the coffers. All told, about $2,500 is needed. As Mike Hillicoss says, they're well below their goal.

They hope to have 40 turkeys, 60 pies and 20 hams.

"To serve 600 plates of food, you need a lot of food," he said.

Despite the donation deficit, Hillicoss remains confident the money needed for the dinner will come in.

"This meal is our way of giving and being thankful, it is a real feel-good event," he said. "It says a lot about the people in our area. This is a community meal in the truest sense of the word."

The homeless, elderly, disabled, the homebound and pretty much anyone are welcome for the dinner. Meals are also delivered to homes of those who can't make it.

The meal is still in need of a few volunteers for roles including decorators, cleanup and meal delivery. A musical group is also still needed to perform during dinner.

To volunteer or donate, (509) 226-3208 or [email protected]

Another free Thanksgiving meal is scheduled at Fedora Pub and Grille. Organizers hope to serve 1,000.

John Malee and Mallory Mattern of Fedora are offering their restaurant and staff for the event. Churches, community groups and businesses are teaming up on the project.

All are welcome.

The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To donate or get involved, call Jenny Stark at 772-7541.