Over 650 volunteers will plan and execute the 18th annual Twin Ports Thanksgiving Buffet Thursday, Nov. 22, at the DECC and at satellite locations in Cloquet and Two Harbors. The Buffet is sponsored by The College of St. Scholastica and the Twin Ports community.

"It's an amazing coming-together of so many different ages, backgrounds and talents," said Ruth Erdmann-Sluka, the event's senior chair. She is director of community relations at St. Scholastica. "Some of our volunteers have been helping since 'day one'; others are just coming on board to start a new tradition with family and friends."

Family groups and individuals will join church groups, civic organizations, schools and businesses to volunteer before, during and after the meal.

Fifty-eight volunteer drivers from Gold Cross, Lake County Ambulance, UPS and the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard will deliver an estimated 1,000 meals to homebound residents. In addition to their driving duties, members of the 148th will bake 3,500 pumpkin bars.

"The drivers really enjoy delivering the meals," said Lisa Vogel. She is Thanksgiving Buffet delivery coordinator and administrative/education assistant at Gold Cross. "Family members help out too, and have been for years. It's become a real family tradition and, for kids, it's such an important lesson in giving."

Last year, seven DTA drivers volunteered their time to bring diners to and from the DECC. More drivers are expected to volunteer this year, according to Buffet coordinator Gail Hanson. "The Twin Ports community really comes out in force for this event. The volunteers are the ones who provide the sweat and hard work - they make it all happen."

Members of the Two Harbors National Honor Society will again help with food preparation. Students from Holy Rosary School and the YMCA's After School groups will make posters and table decorations.

The "Spud Squad" - faculty and staff from the Healthcare Informatics and Information Management Department at St. Scholastica - will wash and peel 1,000 pounds of potatoes. Said staff member Nancy Crego, "We bring our potato peelers, sit on little buckets and go to town. It's a great bonding opportunity for us. Plus, we have a good time!"

To keep track of such a large number of volunteers, St. Scholastica's Information Technologies Department this year developed a computer program that allows volunteers to sign up online for specific duties at specific times.

"It's a big help," says Chris Jugasek a nine-year Buffet volunteer. She is Web system administrator at St. Scholastica. "Now, people will know where they're supposed to be and when they're supposed to be there."

The online program also allows volunteers to leave comments about their past involvement with the Buffet. Many are long-time volunteers who cherish the experience.

Says one: "We have served for nine years. Being able to help in this way has certainly been a blessing to us." And another: "This will be my third or fourth year taking pictures with Santa and all the cute little kids. I don't think there could be a better way to get into the Christmas spirit." Another wrote: "My brother and I have been volunteering at this event for 10 years and it always makes us feel good to be able to give something back."

Local business and corporations are also significant contributors to the event, not only of money and in-kind donations, but also of time. For the first time this year, said Erdmann-Sluka, employees from Home Depot are coming with materials to set up a workshop for children. "It's a great way for both the company and their employees to give back. This happens in so many different ways with so many businesses during the Buffet and in the months leading up to it."

The good efforts of the Buffet go beyond Thanksgiving Day: Leftovers are given to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Buffet Basics:

The Buffet at the DECC will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be provided free of charge to an estimated 3,000 guests who are in need or would otherwise be alone on the holiday. Everyone is welcome to the meal.

Buffets will be available again this year in Cloquet and Two Harbors. In each community, dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a total of 600 diners are expected. In Cloquet, the buffet will be at the Cloquet Armory, 801 Highway 33 South. The meal in Two Harbors will occur at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 227 Third Street.

Live musical entertainment and visits from Santa will be part of the day's events at all three locations. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve meals. To find out more or to volunteer, contact:

In Duluth: Volunteers are invited to sign up online for shifts (Monday-Thursday) at https://www2.css.edu/app/thanksgiving/. For more information, contact Gail Hanson at 723-7083.

In Cloquet: Call Volunteer Services of Carlton County at 879-9238 to volunteer for shifts on Wednesday (food preparation and set-up), Thursday (food preparation, transportation and service) and Friday (cleanup and food packaging).

In Two Harbors: Call Gerri Lampart at 834-2972 (day) or 834-2380 (evening). Volunteers are needed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Monetary donations are welcome. Please send to: The College of St. Scholastica, attention: Thanksgiving Buffet Fund, 1200 Kenwood Ave., Duluth, MN 55811.

DTA BUS SERVICE
The Duluth Transit Authority will again offer free transportation to and from the buffet at the DECC. Continuous bus transportation will be available throughout the day from 24th Avenue East to 57th Avenue West. Call 722-SAVE (722-7283) for times or check the bus schedule at the following pickup sites:

Duluth: Damiano Center, Chum Drop-In Center, YWCA, Harbor Highlands, Tri-Towers Apartments and Morgan Park

Superior: Peter Rich Center, Royalton Manor, Clifford Lund Apartments, Solid Rock Mission, 14th and Tower and Phoenix Villa

HOME-DELIVERED MEALS
Homebound persons in the Duluth-Superior area who would like to request home-delivered meals should call 723-6484 by Friday, Nov. 16. Last year the Buffet delivered 900 meals to homebound people in the Twin Ports; this year the number is expected to top 1,000.

Editor's note: The media are invited to photograph volunteers preparing the 18th annual Thanksgiving Buffet on Monday, Nov. 19, Tuesday, Nov. 20, and Wednesday, Nov. 21, in the DECC kitchen. Check in at the DECC business office. Food preparation will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and assembly of home-delivered meals will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. Media coverage will help raise awareness of the dinner among people in need in Duluth, Superior, Cloquet and Two Harbors.

On the day of the Buffet, broadcast and print photographers will be allowed to film in the main serving area (Fitzgerald Room) and the DECC foyer, where Santa and musicians will be stationed. Out of respect for the privacy of diners, photographers will be asked not to film in any of the three dining halls.

For more information, contact Ruth Erdmann-Sluka at 723-5919.