El Pasoans give back: City hosts annual Thanksgiving Dinner

The Annual Mayor’s Thanksgiving Dinner took place Thursday at the El Paso Convention Center. The tradition began 11 years ago under former Mayor John Cook and is being kept alive under the supervision of Rep. Carl Robinson.

“I’ve had cancer twice, I have diabetes,” said dinner guest Mikael Hutchinson. “I’m on social security disability. I don’t have any family here. So I usually come down here.”

Hutchinson has attended the dinner for the past seven years. For him this dinner means he has people to spend the holiday with and a hot meal.

But for the hundreds of people who volunteer this dinner feeds them in a different way. Robinson said more than 500 people volunteer, 200 to help prepare for Thanksgiving, another 300 to help serve the food. He said he doesn’t have to ask for help. Many volunteers have been helping since the event started.

“It’s important that I give back, instead of receive because it feels better giving than receiving,” said volunteer Mikael Veasley.

For some, Thanksgiving is the big meal before Black Friday, or the pause before Christmas lights go up. But for those who spent the day giving back and those who got to the rare chance to receive, it’s the best part of the holiday season.

“It’s a blessing to bless others, to serve others,” said Robinson.

Every year this dinner serves about 5,000 people, there are no qualifications to meet. Anyone and everyone is invited. For many its their own Thanksgiving tradition.

“On Thanksgiving its especially important because there are a lot of people who don’t have family and who don’t have friends they can turn to,” said Salvation Army Director Rose Lucero. “It’s important that everyone in the El Paso community knows that they’re loved and welcomed.”

Many organizatons, companies and people donated to make this event possible, including soldiers from Fort Bliss, Helen of Troy, Cemex, Rock Faith Christian Center, Mayor Oscar Leeser, the Salvation Army and the Rescue Mission.