SAN ANTONIO — United Way of San Antonio & Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner are working together to ensure San Antonians don’t spend Thanksgiving alone or go without a warm meal.
Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner has set a tradition for more than 40 years serving 25,000 plates to those in need – for free. But for some, getting to the event can be a challenge.
Kevin Femmel is the director of communications for United Way of San Antonio.
“No one should be alone, any day, but especially on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas," Femmel said. "We’re just happy to provide that little bit of relief and little bit of companionship.”
Volunteers hand over a warm meal, simultaneously providing a warm connection to the recipient.
“We know that roughly half of people in Bexar County are living paycheck-to-paycheck," Femmel said. "It’s about 46% living through financial difficulties. They deserve to have this Thanksgiving meal just as much as anyone else.”
Patricia Jimenez is the executive director of Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner. She’s also the daughter of the founder, the late Raul Jimenez.
“We have been getting calls since June," Jimenez said. "People are so concerned about ensuring they get that meal. It takes about 200 volunteers on that day driving around the city to deliver 4,000 meals.”
Jimenez says some volunteers have been helping the nonprofit for decades.
You have until November 22 to secure your spot on the list. To sign up for these homebound deliveries, call 211 and select option 1 - you’ll be connected to the San Antonio Call Center.