Given my recent confession, you might wonder why I’m blogging about celebrity chefs and receipes. But really, what Portlander isn’t a foodie?

The latest news is that southern cooking queen Paula Deen is lending her name to Thanksgiving blood drives across the country. Depending on their location, donors will receive aprons and some favorite recipes from the Food Network chef — apple pie and pork chops, I hear.

Oregon is not participating in the Deen giveaway, but that doesn’t mean we’re not saying “thanks for giving” to all of our holiday blood donors. Our Blood Services folks are holding the 12th annual Thanksgiving Blood Drive at which they’ll be giving away — not receipes — but ACTUAL pumpkin pies. YUM!

Here are the details:

Thanksgiving Blood Drive
Thursday, November 27
7 a.m. to noon
3131 N. Vancouver Ave.
Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit http://www.givelife.org/ to schedule

All presenting donors will receive a free pumpkin pie from Thriftway, two-for-one coupons to the Oregon Ballet Theater production of The Nutcracker, and a Thanksgiving Day Blood Drive
T-shirt (while supplies last). The donor canteen will feature Cinnabon, World Famous Cinnamon Rolls and Jamba Juice. Children accompanying parents or friends can enjoy entertainment by the Rose City Clowns and special activity stations, including button-making and videos.