TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A hot meal for college students and those in the community who are away from home during the holiday season.
It's called the Thankful Giving Feast. The feast took place on Wednesday evening and organizers expected up to 175 people to show up throughout the evening.
What was once an event just for FAMU students who couldn’t go home for the holidays is now open to the community, this year marked the 14th year the feast has taken place.
Sharon Snelling, mom of organizer Lei Snelling, says she is amazed at what has become her family's tradition.
Rajan Russell is spending his second Thanksgiving away from his home in South Florida.
He says going through the holidays alone, can be tough.
"To have that and not really have your family here and you know all your friends are gone because their going back home, said Russell.
He came out to the Thankful Giving Feast Wednesday night, for feast and fellowship with other college students in Tallahassee for the holiday.
"I had no idea that this event would evolve to be as big as it’s gotten but it’s gotten that way by a lot of great support in the community from churches individuals and businesses local businesses," said Sharon.
One of those businesses is Domi Station. It has hosted the feast now for four years.
"It's great to know that the alumni, they care about us enough to make us food because a lot of us... I know personally I'm not with my family so it makes up for it. So I'm definitely grateful," said FAMU student Kennedy Patton.
Snelling says making sure students can enjoy Thanksgiving is what matters most.
The free feast ended at 8 p.m. after dozens of students enjoyed themselves at 914 Railroad Avenue where the event took place .
