H-E-B is kicking off the holiday season with their 29th annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing dinner at the Waco Convention Center.
Officials expected, and were ready to feed, 7,000 people that came to the event.
Not only does the H-E-B host this event to bring holiday cheer, but to bring awareness to an important topic.
The H-E-B food bank assistance program works year-round to prevent hunger in Texas and Mexico and this is one of the many ways they are trying to help fight it.
"One of the H-E-Bs top initiatives is hunger relief and this is part of it to have the opportunity to host the fest of sharing all across the state," Tamra Jones, Public Affairs Manager.
It's also a time for H-E-B to say thank you to all their loyal customers and help families create their own traditions along the way.
"As long as I can remember," Eamaris Osario said. "Memories I would just come as a child my parents would bring us all of us me and my older brothers."
This will be the third year Osorio has taken her daughter to the Feast of Sharing. This is all in hopes to create a tradition for her daughter to continue when she grows up.
"I just want to pass something on to my daughter," Osorio said. "I want her to be able to remember, 'oh I always came here with my mom too.' So, I just want us to be able to both have that memory."
There were 500 volunteers at the event to bring an extra special night to the community.
"It's part of our own lifestyle about volunteering and to be with a group of folks that are here. It's just good to be a part of," Durwood Williams, a volunteer said.
There are 30 other dinners hosted by H-E-B throughout the lone star state and Mexico. By the end of them all, more than 250,000 free meals will be served.
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