Local AIDS service providers are offering Thanksgiving meals before the holiday, and the Texas Gay Rodeo Association and the Round-Up Saloon are making sure everyone gets a holiday meal on the holiday.
AIDS Interfaith Network‘s Daire Center provided a big holiday meal last weekend and another today.
For Resource Center Dallas, Wednesday is the day of the holiday meal. RCD has a daily lunch program on weekdays but the Thanksgiving lunch will be elaborate and open to the public.
“It’s longer than normal because demand is increasing every year,” RCD Communications and Advocacy Manager Rafael McDonnell said.
McDonnell said they will not be checking client IDs and everyone is welcome. Lunch will be served in the Rainbow Room where the program normally takes place — with coffee and desert in the Color Rooms.
“We have 12 turkeys, our own cornbread dressing and other traditional sides,” he said.
TGRA is serving Thanksgiving dinner at the Round-Up Saloon on Thursday. That dinner is open to the public.
“We wanted to do something special for the community,” said TGRA President Butch Compton.
He said he contacted AIN and RCD to tell them to send their clients. About 400 people are expected at the Round-Up.
Compton said everything’s donated. On Wednesday, volunteers are picking up pieces of the meal to prepare and cook at home. He said he has 30 turkeys, nine hams, 25 pies, 100 cupcakes and lots more. Donations of food are not needed but cash donations to help defray the costs are welcome.
“We reached out to friends and family,” Compton said.
Any money that doesn’t go toward the meal, he said, would go to RCD, AIN or Legacy Counseling Center.
Volunteers are still needed. To volunteer, send an email to Compton.
