CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake VA Clinic hosted a Thanksgiving luncheon for veterans on Nov. 23.

The luncheon was a complete Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings.

The San Francisco VA Medical Center’s Voluntary Services funded the majority of the meal by purchasing premade meals from a local grocer while Clearlake VA Clinic staff potlucked desserts, extra side dishes and hors d'oeuvres. 

The luncheon started at 11 a.m. with a line of veterans ready to eat. There was so much food, veterans were able to take home an extra plate for dinner.
 
For many of our local veterans, social worker Sheila Rockwell and member services representative Amanda Celli knew this would be the only Thanksgiving meal they would have.

The lunch quickly grew from serving homeless veterans to any and all veterans wishing to have a Thanksgiving meal.

The Clearlake VA Clinic served 37 meals on site and took 15 premade meals to a local homeless encampment where many veterans live. Leftovers of turkey, potatoes, stuffing and whole pies were taken to a local shelter.
 
It was a wonderful day filled with conversation, laughter and lots of pumpkin pie. For clinic staff it was an amazing way to show thanks and gratitude to those who so selflessly served in the Armed Forces.
 
Amanda Celli is member services representative for the Clearlake VA Clinic.