H.E.B. feeds thousands at annual feast

McALLEN -- The line of patrons waiting to be seated to a hot Thanksgiving meal never seemed to end at the McAllen Convention Center Sunday.

More than 12,000 people were expected to partake of 3,000 pounds of turkey, 2,250 pounds of cornbread dressing, 100 gallons of cranberry sauce and 1,000 pumpkin pies among other staples during the annual Feast of Sharing dinner thrown by H.E.B.

The event began 20 years ago as an assignment H.E.B. Chairman of the Board Charles Butts gave his employees. They had to develop an event that allowed the grocery chain to give back to the community, involved the whole community and treat everyone with dignity.

Eddie J. Garcia, H.E.B.'s food bank consultant, came up with the holiday dinner idea. The first one was held in Laredo. McAllen followed suit two years later.

This year H.E.B. plans to host 22 dinners in Texas and six in Mexico and serve about 250,000 meals throughout November and December, Garcia and other company representatives said.

"It's very touching in my heart to see people happy, eating well ... (and) treated with dignity," Garcia said.

About 600 volunteers from many organizations helped cook, escort patrons to their seats, prepare plates and serve them to people at their tables, hand out ice cream and perform numerous other tasks at the event.

"We're in the food business so it's got to be right," Garcia said.

Those who attended said they looked forward to a good meal.

Juanita Velez of Mission and her family attended the dinner because they wanted to share something with their community. Her family doesn't usually have the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving because her husband Carlos often has to work out of town in the oil fields then.

"We're blessed to be able to come," Velez said.

Her children, Carlos Christian, 16, and Carolina, 10, said they enjoy the food, especially the turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie.

Pharr residents Angel Martinez, 13, and his cousin Israel Renderia, 14, agree.

"The turkey is delicious," said Angel.

Other events planned include:

The Hidalgo County Bar Association and Hidalgo County Bar Foundation are holding a Thanksgiving food drive at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Proyecto Azteca, located at the northwest corner of Cesar Chavez Road and Business Highway 83 in San Juan. Families will receive a free bag of groceries, and gift cards from H.E.B. and Whataburger.

The Salvation Army is holding a Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 27 at 1600 N. 23^rdSt... McAllen. The meal is free and open to the public.

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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.