BAR HARBOR – Jim and Marika Robinson went shopping for Thanksgiving dinner last week. They loaded up their carts with 10 turkeys, ingredients for dozens of pies and enough of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner trimmings to feed a town.
After all, that’s precisely the Robinsons’ plan.
Giving thanks that their restaurant, Rika’s, has beaten the odds and successfully completed its first season in Bar Harbor, the Robinsons are hosting a free public Thanksgiving dinner for the people of Mount Desert Island this week.
Rika’s staffers have volunteered to spend their holidays pitching in with the meal preparation. And Island Connections, a local community group, has volunteered to deliver guests who need rides right to Rika’s front door.
The Robinsons ask no questions. From the 250 island families in financial need who are served by the local food pantry, to college students spending the holiday far from home, to elderly couples who just don’t have the strength to prepare themselves a full-blown feast, all will be welcome at the Main Street dining room Thursday.
“Someone might be living alone, who has plenty of money but no one to spend their Thanksgiving with,” said Michael Reisman, program director for Island Connections.
To reach the community, the Robinsons posted fliers all over town. And Reisman spread word of the feast through organizations such as the Bar Harbor food pantry, local housing for the elderly, the YWCA and College of the Atlantic.
Already, a handful of people have called to accept the invitation and spend their Thanksgiving with the Robinsons.
“It’s a chance to be with people – to share the holiday,” said Jim Robinson.
Private groups in the community have a history of coming together on holidays, Reisman said. Several local congregations have hosted Thanksgiving celebrations in past years, but the cozy dining room and large-capacity kitchen of Rika’s are ideal for a family-style Thanksgiving.
And if Rika’s finds continued success on Main Street, the Robinsons plan to make the Thanksgiving celebration an annual event.
“We’re hoping for a big crowd,” Robinson said.
For information or to arrange for a ride, call Island Connections at 288-4457.
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