The free, open-invitation holiday meal and entertainment continues a 20-year tradition that started in Laredo in 1988. It is open to residents of Temple and surrounding communities.
Last year, the Temple event served 3,500 plates, store manager Larry McAdoo said. This year, organizers are planning to serve 4,250 meals.
The anticipation of a larger crowd based on a downturn in the economy prompted organizers to hold two events this year - one in Killeen, which served about 2,500 plates Wednesday, and the one in Temple.
“This is just something to let the community know we want to be involved,” McAdoo said.
H-E-B’s holiday dinner program has grown to 28 locations that serve more than 250,000 meals to people in Texas and Mexico.
A crew of mostly retired H-E-B partners - many of whom are former store managers - travel with a mobile kitchen preparing the meal in each city, McAdoo said. They’ll start preparing Thursday night’s meal that day “at about 7 in the morning,” he said.
“It’s just kind of continued to grow. We’re increasing the number of cities each year, like adding Killeen this year,” he said.
Jason Kaehler, assistant store director, said there’ll be arts and crafts events for children, and parents should bring their own cameras because Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with youngsters at the festivities.
“Hopefully, we’ll have some holiday weather,” McAdoo said.
Partners for the event include Borden, Coca-Cola Bottling, Cumulus Broadcasting, KWTX-TV Channel 10, Mrs Baird’s Bakeries, Reddy Ice and Scott & White.
In addition to Feast of Sharing, H-E-B works year-round through various company-wide initiatives to help combat hunger and malnutrition in Texas and Mexico.
