Sierra Kondos

Special to the news

The Lots of Love Foundation is hosting their 11th annual free Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway from 8 a.m. noon on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 2024, on a lot located at the corner at 1210 10th Street in Port Arthur.

They have been serving over 100 residents annually, providing warm meals, snack bags, canned goods, drinks, warm clothes and toiletries.

“The hot, Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, ham, green bean casserole, stuffing, red beans and rice, rolls, deserts, and more,” Shakenia Smith, Lot of Love Coordinator said. “We also have what a few people like to call it “Brown Bag Special,” which is kind of like a snack bag. So, people will go away with a hot Thanksgiving meal, but they will also have a snack bag that consists of fruit, chips and sandwiches.”

This event is held in conjunction with the Port Arthur Police Department and other local businesses.

“The initiative started as a small community effort and has grown over the years with support from various organizations,” she said. “When I first got started 11 years ago, Constable Christopher Bates was one of the first people to reach out and help give back with us. You know he would be out there on the field with us, he’s always been a part of the committee since day one.”

Smith said seeing people who are lonely during the holiday season inspired her to reach out to family and friends to create an annual fellowship for the Port Arthur Community.

 “I am from the area, and I would notice people who didn’t have family or friends to enjoy the holiday with,” she said. “Some may have just lost their way and don’t have anywhere to go for the holidays, and I wanted to do something that would fill that lonely void for them and give them comfort. It’s hard to pass these people up daily and not want to help them. I reached out to a couple of former classmates from Memorial High School class of 2006, and good friends and a great, supportive family. We all came together and wanted to give back. And each year it’s grown.”

The annual turnout encourages the members to host the event and to spread awareness in hopes to bring in more volunteers and support.

“Even if it’s just for that, that moment, they are so appreciative and even tell us their story of how they ended up where they are and how they got to that point. It’s a very emotional interaction and it warms my heart to know that we’re doing something about it, even if it may seem small to others, but it matters a lot to those who aren’t as fortunate.”

Smith said the holiday is about giving onto others.

“Each year we push ourselves to be seen,” she said. “It’s not just a time to spend with family but to bring back the meaning of Thanksgiving, it’s about giving. It’s about loving on your people, or just love in general. And that’s where we got the name, you know, Lots of Love from, because we love our city. We were born and raised here, and we’ve always been taught to pay it forward. And this is one of the ways we would like to do that. It’s a beautiful thing to see people from all walks of life come together and want to pay it forward in some type of way and to be a part of what we’re doing.”

As a final thank you for their services in life, Smith wants to highlight two members who had been with the foundation from the inception.

“Jordan James and Tremesha Smith,” she said. “It wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t acknowledge them. They did so much to help this foundation get to where it is. Thank you for all you’ve done in love.”

If you’re interested in donating or volunteering, call Shakenia Smith at 409-728- 3998 or Don Holloway at 832-853- 8815.