HOUSTON – Every year, the Super Feast feeds thousands of Houstonians for Thanksgiving, but this year they are the ones in need.
The organization is still in great need of donations and volunteers.
“We could not do it without the volunteers, and when we make the plea for volunteers, they always answer the call,” Stephanie Louis, Regional Director for the City-Wide Club of America said.
After holding an Emergency Food Drive on Monday in wake of food shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, organizers also announced their need for more help.
Stephanie Louis is the Regional Director for the City-Wide Club of America. She says before the pandemic, they had about 5,000 to 8,000 volunteers for the big event.
This year, over 1,500 people have signed up to volunteer since Monday morning. Louis said they still need about 1,500 more volunteers to reach their goal of 3,000.
“Volunteers who come and work hard, they leave with a sense of comfort for themselves having been able to give back to the community and help a person who was desperate or had no idea how they were going to make it during this time,” she said.
Giving back has always been a passion for Robert Goins. He’s volunteered at Super Feast for the last 26 years and loves making the cornbread dressing. He said serving others makes the event super special.
“We see them and know them by name. We have such a great group of people that work down here, and just the whole camaraderie of what we develop and make possible here is what keeps me coming back, ”Goins said.
Louis said people who step up to help will set up serving lines and direction signs. She said volunteers will also be tasked to serve hot food to thousands of guests.
She said the event will start at 10 a.m. on Thursday with or without the additional volunteers.
“It will be a little slower or the volunteers will have to work a little harder to help get it done, but yes, it will still go on,” she said
Organizers say there is still time for you to sign up and volunteer. If you would like to volunteer visit the website and sign up for a time slot.
More than 25,000 underprivileged individuals, families, senior citizens, and veterans are expected to be served this holiday season.