Thousands celebrate Thanksgiving at H.E.B. Feast of Sharing

McALLEN - Thanksgiving came early for thousands of upper Rio Grande Valley residents Sunday.

Thousands of people filed into the McAllen Convention Center to take part in H.E.B.’s annual Feast of Sharing, now in its 19th year in McAllen and 21st year overall.

The grocery giant, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, served turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, corn stuffing and other sides, as well as pumpkin pie for dessert, to about 12,000 hungry patrons.

In all, H.E.B. and its volunteers dished out more than a ton each of turkey and cornbread dressing, as well as 380 gallons of mashed potatoes, 220 gallons of vegetables, 95 gallons of gravy and thousands of bread rolls and pumpkin pie slices.

H.E.B. began its Feast of Sharing program in 1989 with dinners in Corpus Christi and Laredo as a way to serve the community and provide meals to others who may not have the means to prepare their own meals. This year, the grocery chain is hosting 24 dinners throughout Texas and six in Mexico and plans to serve more than 225,000 meals, according to H.E.B. representatives.

“We want everybody to feel like family,” said Danny Flores, public affairs manager for H.E.B.

The event also included live music, activities for children, ice cream and popcorn.

Several patrons said they enjoy spending time with their families and fellow Valley residents. They also enjoyed the food.

For Mark Santana, the pumpkin pie H.E.B. serves is his second favorite part of the annual feast; his first is sharing a meal with others.

“Most pies, to me, the taste goes off. This pie does not go off,” he said.

Edinburg residents Tony and Melissa Longoria decided to attend the feast after seeing information posted at an H.E.B. store in Elsa. The Longorias said they liked how the event brings families and the community together.

“It should be like this all the time,” said Tony Longoria.

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