About 5,000 people had a pre-Thanksgiving dinner at the “Feast of Sharing.”
The tough economy is making it hard for more families to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but Safeway helped out again this year, providing a feast for 5,000 at the Washington Convention Center Wednesday.
At times, the line for the 11th annual Feast of Sharing stretched down the long hallways of the Convention Center. An exhibit hall was packed with volunteers and guests in need and with few other choices for a holiday meal.
Donning an apron, Mayor-elect Vincent Gray said he was happy the food from Safeway was available but sorry it was so needed.
Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans and his family also were among the team of volunteers.
The annual feast includes a free clothing give away, too, but the need was greater this year. Volunteers said they’d make a note to try harder for more clothing donations next year.
