Mattress Mack invites Houstonians to share Thanksgiving meal at his store
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Following Hurricane Harvey, organizations and businesses are stepping up this year to make sure people have a Thanksgiving meal. One of those places is Gallery Furniture.
On Good Morning America Monday, owner, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale announced his North Freeway location would open this holiday to serve free meals from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
"We hope to have as many as 2,500 to 3,500, maybe we'll have 5,000," McIngvale said. "The more the merrier."
While he's supplying the food, he's looking for help.
If you're interested in volunteering, you can sign up on Gallery Furniture's website.
"Some lady called this morning and asked if she can bring her 11-year-old son," McIngvale said. "Of course you can! We want to model behavior that the essence of living is giving."
Gallery Furniture isn't the only place storm victims can get a free meal on Thanksgiving.
At the annual Super Feast event at George R. Brown Convention Center, you can not only get free food, but also take home a bag of free goods.
"Donations are coming in a little slower than we're comfortable with, but we just feel assured that Houston, when they know there is a need they will arise to the occasion, just like they did a couple of months ago," Super Feast spokesperson Stephanie Lewis said.
The group still needs turkeys, canned goods, and plenty of labor.
"Oh, there are lots of volunteer opportunities," Lewis said. "Everything from sweeping to serving the turkey and the dressing, washing dishes in the kitchen. Helping to heat up and prepare the food."
The Thanksgiving Super Feast has fed neighbors for nearly 40 years.
Usually, 18,000 people get free meals, but this year they're expecting 25,000 because of Harvey.
With that uptick, the group needs another 1,500 volunteers.
If you're interested in helping, visit the Citywide Club's website.
"You have mixed feelings," Lewis said. "You're saddened that so many people were so impacted that they don't know what the next step is, but you're also thankful that so many others are stepping up to the plate."
