By Edmond Ortiz
Organizers for the 46th annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner are getting ready for the massive community event, and they need help to serve the estimated 29,000 meals that they expect to provide this year.
What is happening
Event officials and city leaders gathered for an Oct. 28 press conference to talk about festivities surrounding the special dinner, which will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27.
Late restaurateur Raul Jimenez started the event in 1979 as a way to ensure that senior citizens and individuals in need would not go without a warm, traditional Thanksgiving meal for free.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones was on hand to help announce this year’s online volunteer registration, which opened at rauljimenezdinner.com/volunteer at 1 p.m. and will continue until full capacity is reached.
The event typically involves more than 4,000 volunteers who serve roles ranging from preparing the food to serving meals and clean-up, organizers said.
What you should know
The dinner, which is free and open to individuals in need, takes place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 900 E. Market St.
According to a press release, doors open at 9 a.m. and an all-faith worship service begins at 10 a.m., followed by food service, entertainment and dancing. There is also a children’s activity area on site.
The warm traditional Thanksgiving meal includes turkey and all the trimmings. The event ends at 3:30 p.m.
Organizers said 50-plus corporate sponsors, foundations, local businesses and private donors help to support the community dinner, with the city contributing use of the convention center and its kitchen facilities.
During the press conference, Jones, RJTD President and CEO Patricia Jimenez, and Yolanda Valenzuela, executive director with Kym Rapier Foundation, discussed expanded planning efforts in order to accommodate more diners at this year’s event.
Organizers said the current federal government shutdown over a budget impasse has resulted in an anticipated pause in emergency benefits, prompting an increase in people seeking assistance from food banks and pantries this fall.
In response, Kym Rapier Foundation, which originally pledged $50,000 to the 2025 Thanksgiving dinner, donated $100,000 to help support this year’s event.
Organizers said the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, now one of the nation’s largest events of its kind, typically prepares about 25,000 meals, but is now getting ready to serve 29,000-plus meals.
How you can help
Representatives with the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner are accepting donations to benefit the event. People interested in donating may text “GIVE” to 866-379-0285 or visit www.rauljimenezdinner.com/donate for details.
KSAT-12 television hosted a Nov. 17 phone bank that raised more than $21,000 to support efforts to organize the annual dinner.
Event representatives said the list for home delivery is full, but VIA Metropolitan Transit will offer free bus rides to and from the dinner.
