‘We’re very blessed’ for donations, successful turnout of annual dinner

A staple restaurant in Louisville’s West End is thanking the community for another successful year in putting on its Christmas Day dinner giveaway.“Big Momma’s Soul Food Christmas” has taken place the past 14 years, but this was the first year it suffered a few challenges as it relates to monetary donations because of the pandemic. Sheryl Fox says after WLKY’s segment aired, which informed viewers that the event donations were low, the community and local businesses stepped up and answered the call with a Christmas miracle.“We met and exceeded the goal,” said Sheryl Fox, the restaurant’s manager. “We’re very blessed to be able to do this today. We were even able to adopt about 20 families to feed.”Attendees and volunteers for the event got an early start, though the event didn’t begin until noon. People braved the cold and began lining up in front of the restaurant nearly an hour before the meals were set to go out. Volunteers cooked, sorted and packaged food beginning at 7 a.m. Friday. For those unable to make it in person, the restaurant’s volunteers brought the holiday spirit to their door. “We’re delivering to some of the senior houses,” said Fox. “They’re not able to leave because of COVID, or able to go home for the holiday.”The Christmas meal consists of fried chicken, baked chicken, meatloaf, smothered pork chops, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, and green beans. Attendees will also receive desert and a fruit bag. Community members who have been volunteering for years say the event means so much more with everything that’s happened in 2020.“When you think about the climate with Covid and jobs being lost, you’re blessed to be a blessing,” said David Johnson. “It’s just a reminder that I am doing the right thing by volunteering.”Christmas is the season for giving, and with hundreds of people expecting a meal, event organizers say they’re grateful to be able to feed every person who stands in line.“The bible says the Lord loveth a cheerful giver,” said Wendell Lewis Sr., a volunteer. “So, we come to help Big Momma give to the community, which we know is in need especially this year.”Big Momma’s Soul Food Kitchen will be closed until after the new year.

A staple restaurant in Louisville’s West End is thanking the community for another successful year in putting on its Christmas Day dinner giveaway.

“Big Momma’s Soul Food Christmas” has taken place the past 14 years, but this was the first year it suffered a few challenges as it relates to monetary donations because of the pandemic.

Sheryl Fox says after WLKY’s segment aired, which informed viewers that the event donations were low, the community and local businesses stepped up and answered the call with a Christmas miracle.

“We met and exceeded the goal,” said Sheryl Fox, the restaurant’s manager. “We’re very blessed to be able to do this today. We were even able to adopt about 20 families to feed.”

Attendees and volunteers for the event got an early start, though the event didn’t begin until noon. People braved the cold and began lining up in front of the restaurant nearly an hour before the meals were set to go out. Volunteers cooked, sorted and packaged food beginning at 7 a.m. Friday.

For those unable to make it in person, the restaurant’s volunteers brought the holiday spirit to their door.

“We’re delivering to some of the senior houses,” said Fox. “They’re not able to leave because of COVID, or able to go home for the holiday.”

The Christmas meal consists of fried chicken, baked chicken, meatloaf, smothered pork chops, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, and green beans. Attendees will also receive desert and a fruit bag.

Community members who have been volunteering for years say the event means so much more with everything that’s happened in 2020.

“When you think about the climate with Covid and jobs being lost, you’re blessed to be a blessing,” said David Johnson. “It’s just a reminder that I am doing the right thing by volunteering.”

Christmas is the season for giving, and with hundreds of people expecting a meal, event organizers say they’re grateful to be able to feed every person who stands in line.

“The bible says the Lord loveth a cheerful giver,” said Wendell Lewis Sr., a volunteer. “So, we come to help Big Momma give to the community, which we know is in need especially this year.”

Big Momma’s Soul Food Kitchen will be closed until after the new year.