El Sombrero free Thanksgiving meal returns despite challenges
El Sombrero free Thanksgiving meal returns despite challenges. (photo by Carla Ungerecht)
El Sombrero’s free Community Thanksgiving Dinner will continue for its 29th year Thursday following the passing of founder Ruben Pelayo and a fire at the restaurant north of Troy.
Due to the fire, this year’s meal will be held in a different location with a dine-in format instead of the drive through carryout meals of recent years.
Following Pelayo’s death at age 60 in late October, friends who had worked with him and the late restaurant manager Judy Rose on the annual event were looking for ways to continue the meal.
They found partners in St. Patrick Soup Kitchen in Troy.
The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a large, heated tent to be placed in a parking lot outside the soup kitchen at 24 N. Mulberry St. Carryout meals will not be available. The location lies between East Main and East Water streets.
El Sombrero’s home at 1700 N. County Road 25A was damaged in an October fire and needs clean up and repairs, said Murphy Howe, long-time friend of Pelayo and a member of the meal coordinating committee.
Pelayo started the meal in honor of his mother, who would work every year to provide a meal for the poor in their hometown in Mexico.
Continuing Pelayo’s tradition was a must, Howe said. “It was important to him (Pelayo). It became important to us. We have a core of about six people who have always been there. As long as we can do it, we will continue to do it,” he said.
As the coordinators contemplated options for a location, several organizations offered use of kitchens, but they were not large enough to accommodate the need. “I appreciate everyone who offered,” Howe said.
Numerous people have stepped forward to volunteer to help with the meal. Donations toward the meal can be made to El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant, 1700 N. County Road 25A, Troy, 45373.
