The holiday season can be depressing enough without being broke, going hungry or feeling alone and isolated. Luckily for the less fortunate in the North Bay—and for do-gooders with extra time on their hands—an abundance of community support is once again uniting to provide gatherings complete with turkey noshing and Thanksgiving cheer.

The Redwood Gospel Mission of Santa Rosa extends beyond its shelter walls and hosts its annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, from 11am to 6pm. The event, which often exceeds 5,000 guests, includes face-painting for kids, free haircuts and free food boxes for hungry attendees. For those wishing to donate a turkey or to volunteer time and services, please contact the Redwood Gospel Mission's Support Center at 707.578.1830.

Also in Sonoma County is the Sonoma Community Center's free organic turkey dinner, prepared by chef Gary Edwards and an entourage of volunteers. The annual elaborate meal, which is served at 3pm, also includes live music by the Earl Blue Quartet on Thursday, Nov. 26, in Andrew's Hall at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Call 707.938.4626 for more information of donations or volunteer opportunities.

St. Vincent de Paul's Dinning Room in San Rafael, which is open for daily free meals to Marin's homeless and working poor, provides a free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 11am to 1pm. 820 B St., San Rafael. Have time or money to donate? Call Vinnie's at 415.545.3303.

In Napa, where lack of sufficient refrigeration storage recently caused alarm at the food bank, the Salvation Army will be cooking up their annual Thanksgiving meal for nearly 300 people at 590 Franklin St., Napa. 11:30am to 2pm. And, yes, they would love more volunteers, as well. 707.226.8150.

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