Despite the driving snows of a stubborn winter storm, the spirit of giving was in full force Tuesday as more than a dozen volunteers handed out Thanksgiving dinners at the Carson Valley Community Food Closet in Gardnerville.
"If push comes to shove, then saddle up," declared Reno resident Henry Westcott.
Westcott, a member of the Douglas County Sheriff's Mounted Posse, wasn't joking. For the last eight years, he's volunteered at the food closet for their Thanksgiving drive. This year, he spent an hour driving through Washoe Valley in a whiteout, just to make sure he wouldn't miss it.
"You sign up for this kind of thing," he said. "You got to take care of these people."
Food Closet Director Kathy Thompson, busy stacking pumpkin pies and dinner rolls, said the organization had 542 dinners to give out. Each included a turkey, stuffing, rolls, veggies, fruit, and sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce while they lasted.
"All our clients are screened through Social Services," Thompson said. "Unfortunately, some people are very proud. But that's what we're here for, to help people in dire straits. They should have no shame."
Thompson said donations had been somewhat slow until they got blasts from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Block D Letterman's Club, the Patton family and Dayspring Christian Assembly, and a host of individual donors.
On Monday, Liz Patton, who hosted a turkey drive over the weekend with Dayspring Christian, reported that their efforts produced 101 birds. They kept only 61 turkeys for their donation today, which starts at noon at 974 Tillman Lane, and gave the remaining 40 to the food closet.
"It was incredible," Patton said. "People were just coming out of Smith's giving us turkeys left and right."
On Tuesday, Minden resident Ron James bore the thickening snow to carry crates of turkeys from a freezer truck to a table inside the food closet. He said he started volunteering three years ago and now spends about 3-4 days a week at the food closet.
"This is a great way to make a difference in people's lives," he said. "This has been a tough year, but fortunately Douglas County is one of the most generous communities in Northern Nevada. We've gotten tremendous support form the local community. If you want to say thank you to someone, say thank you to the residents."
Still busy with a growing line of clients, Thompson agreed with James' sentiment.
"This community is so giving that whenever there is a need, people come out and do it," she said.
At the same time, Thompson knows her work is never done. She predicted she'll need just as many dinners for the Christmas donation Dec. 21.
"Tomorrow, we start again," she said.
Located at 1255 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, the Carson Valley Community Food Closet is open 12:30-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Drop-offs at other times can be arranged, and the food closet accepts monetary donations as well.
For more information, call 782-3711.
