Patricia Jimenez said the nonprofit has received calls from people who are experiencing increased financial hardship, some due to the government shutdown.
SAN ANTONIO — The 46th Annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is preparing to serve a record-29,000 free meals to people in San Antonio on Thursday, a surge organizers noted is partly because of financial stress following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The massive community feast, held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center downtown, has been long been a tradition of comfort and fellowship.
“This is where my dad first had it in 1979,” said current president and CEO of the nonprofit, Patricia Jimenez, who is also the daughter of the event’s founder, Raul Jimenez. “A true feast of the heart. Not just a Thanksgiving meal but food for the soul.”
Over the decades, the dinner has served millions of San Antonians, offering turkey, stuffing, sides, desserts and plenty of family-friendly festivities. But this year, organizers say the need is deeper and more urgent.
“People are choosing between food and medicine,” Patricia said. “We increased it by 4,000 (meals) because we know there’s a great need. We’ve gotten calls. We can hear the desperation in people’s voices. And we don’t want anybody to do without.”
More than 4,000 volunteers, along with numerous corporate partners are pitching in to make sure the tradition becomes a reality come Thursday.
“It’s such a huge team effort,” said Philip Weynand, division president with Perry Homes, whose group has been volunteering for four years. “Giving back is one of our core values, so we’re happy to be a part of the Thanksgiving prep.”
For Raul Jimenez III, keeping his grandfather’s legacy alive remains a labor of love. He’s been assisting across the board with preparations for San Antonio’s largest Thanksgiving feast.
“No better place to be in San Antonio right now,” Jimenez said. “When I go home I smell like turkey and it’s for a good cause. It’s just one of those times where people come together just to say ‘Hey, I might not need to be fed but I want to be a part of something bigger.’ That’s why it’s for everybody.”
Doors at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center open Thursday at 9 a.m. where an all-faith worship service is set to commence at 10 a.m.
Anyone can attend the free event and enjoy the food, live entertainment and dancing from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.