Coast Guard Fries Turkeys For St. Scholastica’s Free Thanksgiving Buffet At DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving may be two days away, but a massive cooking operation is well underway at the DECC for the annual St. Scholastica free Thanksgiving Buffet.

Volunteers from Minnesota Power took over the DECC’s big kitchen Tuesday to help prepare more than 6,000 cups of cranberry and help peel 1,800 pounds of potatoes.

The turkeys weight in at 2,000 pounds.

Kitchen preps have been going on since last week.

Organizers said none of this would be possible without donations and the power of 600 to 700 volunteers for a dinner that began 34 years ago.

“It started out as a small event over at the library over in Superior and it kind of grew. And it outgrew the number of volunteers they had, so Scholastica took it on,” said Monica Hendrickson, organizer for the CSS Thanksgiving Buffet. “We believe in giving back to our community and providing for our community. And you know, it’s the basic necessities. Everyone deserves a hot meal, especially on Thanksgiving.”

And new this year, the Duluth Coast Guard deep fried dozens of turkeys in the DECC parking lot Tuesday afternoon, with the help of the 148th Fighter wing.

Coast Guard’s Cmdr. Jarrod DeWitz said Chum donated the turkeys.  Marine General provided the pots and London Road Rentals provided the propane.

The fried turkey will be used for sandwiches to-go.

“One of my biggest priorities is to be a part of the community – volunteer. Just be out in the community. Let them know that the Coast Guard’s here. We’re a humanitarian organization, and how can we contribute for our short time here,” said Cmdr. DeWitz.

The free Thanksgiving Buffet is happening this Thursday.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and the turkey runs out by 3 p.m.

Volunteers can serve up to 700 people in 20 to 30 minutes.