It’s that time of year again—time to start strategizing. Questions of whether to fry, roast, brine, stuff, rub or marinate swirl through our heads. Will there be enough room in the oven for everything? An estimated 45 million turkeys are cooked on Thanksgiving every year. Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official holiday in 1863, but Americans began celebrating the holiday long before that time, beginning with the iconic feast enjoyed by the Pilgrims and Native Americans.

For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time to gather the family, and feast in celebration of our good fortune. No one can be certain why the turkey has become the centerpiece of this traditional meal, but the turkey once held a position of national prominence. As the only breed of poultry native to the U.S., it was once considered a national symbol alongside the bald eagle. Benjamin Franklin was one of the turkey’s biggest supporters, but he was ultimately outvoted. The bald eagle became the symbol of our nation and the turkey became the symbol of our biggest meal.

Thanksgiving not only involves the traditional meal with turkey as its centerpiece, but also the tradition of helping others. Bozeman’s residents take this tradition of giving to new levels with several fundraisers held throughout the holiday season. What follows is a brief look at some of the biggest and best opportunities to help friends and neighbors during the holiday season. It is by no means comprehensive, but gives a good idea of just how generous this community can be. In Bozeman, no one has to have a Thanksgiving without turkey—that would be like a day without sunshine, which is almost unheard of in this mountain town.

Huffing for Stuffing  
Assuage the guilt that an enormous Thanksgiving feast inevitably brings by starting your day with a run for charity. The Big Sky Wind Drinkers will be hosting the seventh annual Huffing for Stuffing races on Thanksgiving day. With a 10K, 5K, untimed 5K, and Kids’ Run, this is a great way for the entire family to start a day of indulgence. Proceeds from the race are donated to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Last year, Huffing for Stuffing raised over $45,000 for the Food Bank, which distributes almost three tons of food to local families every day. Each year, the Food Bank distributes holiday boxes during the week of Thanksgiving so that everyone in our county can enjoy a traditional feast.

Huffing for Stuffing is not only a great reminder to be thankful for living in such a generous community, but also a great way to burn some extra calories. (It’s easier to have that second slice of pumpkin pie when you’ve had a little exercise.) And, when the tryptophan in the turkey forces a nap, you can blame it on that invigorating run you took to start your day. More information about Huffing for Stuffing can be found at www.huffingforstuffing.com.

Gallatin Valley Food Bank
If you are not up for a run but have embraced the holiday spirit, try donating time or money directly to the Food Bank. The holiday boxes they pack for Thanksgiving include turkey and all the trimmings, including the ingredients for a pumpkin pie. The Food Bank always needs donations of food and manpower. More information can be found at www.gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org. Keep an eye out for donation sites associated with the annual “Can the Griz” food drive, in which Montana State University and the University of Montana compete to see which school can accumulate the most donations for local food banks. The MSU Bobcats have claimed victory in almost all of these competitions. The last donations are collected at the Cat-Griz game, which will be in Bozeman this year on November 23. The Gallatin Valley Food Bank has come to rely on these donation to get through the holiday season, and the only feeling better than helping a neighbor in need is beating the Griz.

Thanks-4-Giving Clothing Giveaway
Most likely Bozeman’s biggest clothing giveaway, Thanks-4-Giving takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving at the Willson School gym on Main Street. This event has grown from an effort to start a clothing exchange at one elementary school into a free clothing giveaway embraced by the entire community. Volunteers will be accepting donations of gently used clothing at the 5th Avenue entrance to the Willson School gym from Tuesday, November 19 until Friday, November 22. Label all donations according to size and gender, drop them off between 9 am and 8 pm, then return to find new clothes for the family on the weekend. Clothing will be given away to anyone and everyone on Saturday, November 23 from 9 am to 3 pm and on Sunday, November 24 from 9 am to 1 pm. As volunteer Aloha Williams noted in a recent press release, “It is a fantastic way for everyone to reuse, recycle and share things we already have as a community.”

Kiwanis Closet (formerly Stuff-a-Bus) is a place where local families in need can get free school supplies and clothing throughout the seasons. In its fifth year Kiwanis Closet has a new home this year in the Grand Avenue Church across from the Emerson Cultural Center, and is open twice a week. Kiwanis Closet is run by the Bozeman Kiwanis, it is 100% community supported and non profit. So far over 5000 families have been served in the Greater Gallatin Valley and beyond. Donations of clothing (especially kids winter wear) can be dropped off at Remax, Rocky Mountain Bank, Coldwell Banker, Catwalk or Grand Avenue Church. Kiwanis Closet   is open Wednesdays 10-4 and Saturdays 10-2 at 110 South Grand. VOLUNTEER.DONATE.SHOP. Check for updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/BozemanKiwanisCloset and for more info contact Bozeman Kiwanis President Amber Guth at 406-599-5666.

Bozeman is a tight knit community, where charitable events take place regularly. The community pulls together during the holiday season to make sure everyone is warm and well-fed; I have only mentioned a few of the charitable events taking place in November here. Many more efforts, large and small, take place throughout the community. Some groups even offer free Thanksgiving dinners for anyone in the community, and are always looking for volunteers to help cook and serve food. As Thanksgiving approaches, opportunities to give thanks by giving back will abound.

As always, Sarah Cairoli will be cheering for the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Fellow Lions fans can reach her at scairoli30@hotmail.com