As the holiday season approaches, volunteers on the North Beach have been preparing for two traditional examples of thankfulness and giving. The Ocean Shores Lions Club will again host a free community Thanksgiving meal and the Ocean Shores Food Bank again offered a special distribution of free food for family feasts.

On Tuesday, the food Bank ran a special, pre-Thanksgiving food distribution, offering turkeys and a variety of traditional holiday meal items.

Last year, 231 families, totaling about 700 people, received their Thanksgiving items from the food bank. Executive Director Sandy Harley said the number was expected to rise again this year.

The local non-profit will also do a special Christmas food distribution, this one featuring holiday hams, on Friday, Dec. 22, from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

At the Lions Club, located at 832 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, Ernie and Leona Nelson are once again coordinating the free holiday meal that is open to all on Thanksgiving Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Upwards of 40 volunteers make the event possible, with turkeys donated by Ocean Shores IGA, Brookdale Ocean Shores and Quinault Beach Resort & Casino, hams from the Ocean Shores Elks Lodge and desserts from the local Mormon church.

Last year, about 350 people were served at the Lions Club, and another 83 enjoyed meals that were delivered to their homes by volunteers. Home delivery will be offered again this year. Call Ernie or Leona at 360-289-2314 no later than Wednesday, Nov. 22, to schedule for your home.

“Be sure to tell everyone that children are welcome, too,” she said. “This is a family thing and everyone is invited.”