On Saturday, Nov. 21, Minnie’s Food Pantry hosted its 12th annual Thanksgiving giveaway. The giveaway this year was made possible with the support of USAA, HEB, Kroger, Cawley Partners, Tom Thumb, Albertson’s, Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas and many other community partners.
The Plano food pantry surpassed its goal of feeding 10,000 people on Saturday, and served a record 11,086 people in a drive-through format. The first of almost 3,000 cars in line arrived at 11 p.m. the night before the giveaway.
“This year’s Feeding 10,000 Thanksgiving giveaway was the biggest one ever,” shared Minnie’s founder Cheryl Jackson, who named the pantry in honor of her late mother, Minnie Ewing. “If Ms. Minnie would have been here, she would’ve cried the entire time. It felt like Heaven on Earth.”
Minnie’s Food Pantry has distributed more than four million meals since the pandemic hit in March. Due to the ongoing economic hardships, twice as many families registered for the giveaway compared to previous years.
As families drove through to pick up their food, the beloved Dallas-based high-energy band Emerald City performed. On hand to serve were also the Dallas Mavericks ManiAACs and Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. Dillas Quesadillas served lunch for the vounteers, as it has for the past several years.
“We knew we couldn’t achieve success without the support of our community, and we were fortunate that they answered the call,” Cheryl said.
Every family that went through the line received all the ingredients they need to have a complete Thanksgiving meal for their household including turkey and all the usual trimmings.
In 12 years of operation, Minnie’s Food Pantry has provided more than 15 million meals to the community. Those interested in making a financial donation to help Minnie’s Food Pantry feed local families can do at the link below.
Minnie's Food Pantry >
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