POST FALLS — Nearly 300 pounds of turkey, 600 servings of mashed potatoes, 800 servings of gravy, 390 servings of dressing and 260 servings of sweet potatoes.

All this scrumptious food and more was served up with smiles Saturday during the community Thanksgiving meal at the American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls.

"This is a super treat for me. I don't cook," said David Gertje of Coeur d'Alene. "This is really nice."

Kitchen Manager Corky Thomas stepped out of the kitchen for a moment to see a packed dining room filled with happy chatter. She and her crew began prepping for the meal on Thursday.

"This is fantastic," Thomas said. "It's wonderful. We're just so happy the community comes out. We get support all year from the community. This is our way to say, 'Thank you.'"

About 450 community members, including veterans from different eras — many who served in Korea and Vietnam, in their military ball caps — gathered in the Legion to enjoy the free Thanksgiving meal. At one point the banquet room was so full that additional seating was made available in the conference room to be sure everyone had a seat.

Legion volunteers included members of the Whistle Stop 4-H Club, who helped bus tables and deliver drinks to guests.

"It is cool to be able to help them to serve since they served us," said Whistle Stop 4-H-er Caitlyn Cramer, 12.

Post Commander Jim Culpepper said at least 200 people came through in the first hour. He said part of hosting the event was to invite people to visit the Legion to see what it's all about.

"They get to see what we do," he said. "We're giving back to the community and also to veterans that are here."

The American Legion is a nonprofit of U.S. war veterans. It comprises state, U.S. territory and overseas departments with posts in every state, Washington, D.C., France, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Post 143 in Post Falls was incorporated in 1984 by John Dunlap, Charles Gavitt and Arthur Carr at E. 601 Seltice Way. Dunlap commanded the post for nearly 30 years until the time of his death in 2012. The current building at 1138 E. Poleline Ave. was built in 2007. Its name was officially changed to the Steven H. Nipp Post 143 a few years later to honor Nipp, a Marine who was killed in action in Vietnam on Feb. 8, 1969, at age 20. He was a 1966 graduate of Post Falls High School.

The Post Falls American Legion offers a variety of activities and services for veterans and their families, as well as community events such as Sunday breakfast and, of course, its annual Thanksgiving meal.

Info: www.postfallspost143.org