Super Feast serving up more than meals this Thanksgiving

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Thousands of families packed the George R. Brown Convention Center on Thanksgiving Day for the City Wide Club's annual Super Feast, but they received more than meals.

In fact, prior to Thursday's event, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee described it as a one-stop shop for Thanksgiving Day.

About 25,000 families were expected to be served the hot holiday meal, but they could also receive medical services, hair cuts, books, clothing and access to information about affordable housing, education and job opportunities.

All of it was possible because of donations and hardworking volunteers.

"I showed up 30 years ago feeling sorry for myself and wanting something to do on Thanksgiving," said Sharon Duncan, who is now the floor coordinator for the Super Feast. Duncan is responsible for getting the convention center set up for the feast.

"The biggest thing I have learned from the feast is gratitude. Just gratitude for all that I have and all of the blessings that I receive," Duncan added.

The Super Feast started at 10 a.m. and usually lasts until early afternoon or until the last family is served.

With inflation, shortages and food insecurity hitting so many hard, the message especially this year is that this event is for anyone who needs help.

"We want them to come here. Don't be lonely. If you're homeless, don't be lonely, if you're a senior citizen, get someone to bring you here. It'll be a warm meal and a warm place for you to be," Jackson Lee said prior to the event.

City Wide Club, who hosts the Super Feast, has pushed urgently for volunteers and donations.

And at least one donor wasn't going to let anything, not even a broken down truck, stand in the way of coming up clutch.

Organizers said on Wednesday that they had a received a call from one of their highly anticipated donors that an enormous delivery of turkeys coming from Detroit, Michigan, spoiled when the truck they were in broke down.

But the good Samaritan, organizers said, was determined.

The donor found more turkeys in the Dallas area and delivered the goods to the convention center just in time.

"People are so thankful. We've all been in a place where we needed a hand and to have somebody show up and give you a smile and give you what you need at that time, it's indescribable," said Duncan.

It's not too late to pitch in just because Thanksgiving is here, though.

Organizers say you can still drop off donations. Just go to the front of the convention center.

And if you can't help out today, City Wide Club will hold another Super Feast for Christmas Eve.