With help of volunteers, Barrington cafe donates hundreds of Thanksgiving meals

Addie Saliu adds to the pile of sweet potatoes volunteers peeled Tuesday at his Blue Heron Cafe in Barrington ahead of delivery of Thanksgiving meals to those in need in the area. John Starks | Staff Photographer

In addition to peeling 300 pounds of potatoes, volunteers will work with about 60 turkeys for the Blue Heron Cafe's charitable effort. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Volunteers peel potatoes Tuesday at Barrington's Blue Heron Cafe. About 400 meals with turkey and the trimmings will be delivered by volunteers Thursday to towns including Barrington, Palatine, Wauconda and Carpentersville. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Volunteers peel hundreds of pounds of potatoes Tuesday at Barrington's Blue Heron Cafe before delivery of Thanksgiving meals to those in need in the area. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Barrington's Blue Heron Cafe kicked off preparations for its longtime donation of Thanksgiving meals to those less fortunate, with volunteers peeling 300 pounds of potatoes Tuesday.

Addie Saliu's establishment, tucked behind a motel at 405 W. Northwest Highway, has been delivering the holiday feast to the homes of families and individuals in need for the past 16 years. About 400 meals with turkey and the trimmings will be delivered by volunteers Thursday to towns including Barrington, Palatine, Wauconda and Carpentersville.

Roughly 100 volunteers will work on the Thanksgiving feast. In addition to the 300 pounds of potatoes, the crew will work with about 60 turkeys and handle many other duties.

Saliu said he hosted seniors from the Greencastle of Barrington apartments during the first year of the effort but then decided it would be nicer to bring the food to people's houses.

"If it wasn't for (the volunteers), I wouldn't be able to do this," said Saliu, a 37-year Barrington resident whose family came to the United States from Macedonia about 49 years ago. "They want to help."

Bob Kielbas of Inverness, a regular at the 30-year-old Blue Heron, was among the potato-peeling volunteers and will help deep-fry the turkeys and carve them after arriving about 4 a.m. on Thanksgiving. Kielbas has volunteered for the charitable effort for at least 10 years.

"Just like everybody, it makes you feel good to do this," Kielbas said. "It lets everybody pretty much appreciate how lucky we all are. Everybody wants to contribute. Everybody wants to do something."

Ruthie Scherer of Barrington said she's volunteered for the past eight years. She spoke highly of Saliu and what he started.

"He has a warm heart," Scherer said near where tables were set up for the potato peeling in the middle of the cozy cafe. "Very generous. And just an all-around great guy. He does a lot for the community."

Barrington resident Kelly Wise said her three children had a good experience when they delivered the Thanksgiving meals a couple of years ago. She was happy to be peeling the Idaho and sweet potatoes Tuesday.

"People are slowly learning that this is an opportunity in so many ways to volunteer," Wise said. "I think more and more people are taking advantage of that and jumping in and helping out."

Saliu said the Blue Heron receives referrals for the meals from local agencies and senior facilities. He said he appreciates kind notes that have been sent to him by many who received the meals.

"This country has been good to me," he said. "It's time for me to give back."