A one-day effort to ‘Stuff the Bus’ is scheduled in Escalon to help collect items for the local food cupboard, while residents are also remined that the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be served up on Thanksgiving Day.

First up, this Saturday, Nov. 19 will see the food collection set up outside MarVal at 1900 McHenry Ave., Escalon, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donations are sought to benefit Escalon’s C.A.R.E. food bank during the holiday season, so all donations are welcome. Canned and boxed food items are especially sought, along with turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Many people have contributed in the past, often providing a bag or two of grocery items to help keep the shelves stocked at the food pantry. Along with Escalon, a Stuff the Bus event is also being hosted this week at Food 4 Less on Hammer Lane in Stockton.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Escalon Ministerial Association will be sponsoring the free community dinner, served at the Escalon Community Center. Dine in and home delivered meals are available; if home delivery is needed, call Deanna Jackson at 209-838-6808; leave a message with your name, address and how many meals are needed.

Dinner at the Community Center is a sit down meal, served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; volunteers handle the meal preparation, service and clean up and it is all funded with donations to the EMA.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jackson and if you want to make a donation, mail it to EMA, P.O. Box 1, Escalon, CA 95320.

Everyone in the community is welcome to the meal, which features the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings in addition to drinks and dessert.