First-ever “Feast of Sharing” will serve hot dinners to over 5,000 people.
Around the holidays, meals are often served to those less fortunate in the community. The Feast of Sharing, which will be held for the first time ever in Dallas and is put on by Central Market/HEB, goes far beyond the expected. According to Christine Connelly, Manager of Public Affairs for Central Market, “The Feast of Sharing is an event that we are very proud to bring to the Dallas area on Wednesday, November 7, from 5-9 p.m. at the Fair Park Centennial Building. As part of the Central Market/HEB commitment to combat hunger and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, the feast will ensure that guests enjoy a free traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings.” Over 5,000 men, women and children are expected to attend the holiday dinner, one of 27 dinners that HEB will hold throughout Texas in November and December. The program first started in 1989 when small dinners were served to the hungry, needy and lonely in Laredo and Corpus Christi.
Not your average helping of kindness.
What does it take to prepare 2,500 pounds of sliced turkey breast…1,800 pounds of cornbread…and other delicious foods for the feast? None other than the Eddie Garcia Mobile Kitchen. “It is absolutely state-of-the-art and quite remarkable to see,” explains Ms. Connelly, “a huge 18-wheeler on the outside, a well-equipped kitchen on the inside that can assemble more than 2,500 meals per hour.”
Also not typical: guests are served by waitpersons in a sit-down manner as in a nice restaurant, rather than standing in a cafeteria line. “We believe in making our guests feel special,” says Ms. Connelly, “they are treated with dignity and there is a wonderful sense of warmth and camaraderie.”
In addition, there will be live entertainment by student choirs and bands, a special children’s area and free services offered such as health screenings for diabetes to cardiovascular testing.
Very handy location.
“We chose Fair Park,” says Ms. Connelly, “because it is conveniently accessible to DART and free parking is available near the Centennial Building. We want as many people to come as possible. Anyone in the community is invited, and no one will be turned away.”
Central Market/HEB welcomes community volunteers to help with the Feast of Sharing. For more information, visit Hands ON North Texas website.
