Joe Mazzel didn’t know where he was going to park his van on Thanksgiving night.
The 69-year-old has been homeless in the Vancouver area for 20 years. A Vietnam veteran, Mazzel receives assistance checks every month, but they don’t go far. He doesn’t know where he’s going to get gas to drive somewhere safe.
“This time of the month, I’m hurting,” he said.
But, for at least an afternoon, Mazzel and a crowd of others got some respite from the cold and the hammering rain to eat a Thanksgiving feast provided by Warehouse ’23. The meal marked the return of a beloved Vancouver tradition — a collaboration between the Chronis family and former Clark County Judge Rich Melnick, who now serves at the state Court of Appeals in Tacoma, to serve dinner to those in need.
Set against the background of glowing lights and soft Christmas music, individuals, couples and families gathered in the dining room of Mark Matthias’ recently opened restaurant at the former Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. Volunteers meandered around tables, refilling drinks, grabbing pies, making to-go boxes and chatting with guests. Guests were greeted at the door by Santa, who passed out candy canes.
“I just loved what they did,” Matthias said. “I thought it was very heartfelt. They really did create a nice, friendly, family atmosphere for a lot of folks.”
Volunteers also passed out books, gloves and scarves to diners. Mazzel got $10 from a volunteer for gas.
“I appreciate it,” Mazzel said, hunkered over a plate of turkey, ham, a roll and green beans.
The traditional feast began in 1968 but took a one-year hiatus last year after Chuck Chronis retired from running Chronis’ Restaurant and Lounge. But this year, Chronis, thrilled to see the tradition live on, wandered among diners at the meal’s revival.
“There’s so many people that actually need something,” Chronis said. “That’s a rough life. What does it hurt to step up a little bit?”
At another table, 62-year-old Karen Rogers and her partner, 59-year-old Michael Christie, watched the rain fall on the Columbia River.
“This place is really nice,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s really a blessing.”
Rogers and Christie have been homeless off and on for about five years, sleeping in their car for shelter.
“I’m tired of living in the car because it’s going to get colder,” Rogers said.
Things could be looking up for the couple, they said. Rogers said she’s waiting to hear about housing in a facility that serves people 62 and older. Her partner is pursuing a job. But that’s all still up in the air, and they’ve been waiting years to find a home.
But until then, at least, the pair had some reprieve from the challenges of life to enjoy a warm meal, a safe place and each other.
“I’m just glad to be here,” Christie said, smiling.
