On Wednesday, November 27, Events DC will co-sponsor the 20th anniversary of the Safeway Feast of Sharing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Feast of Sharing began at the former Washington Convention Center, the site of now CityCenterDC.
The event offers a plated holiday meal, community services, health expo, winter clothing, fresh apples, live entertainment, and raffle prizes – all at no charge to 5,000 District residents, senior citizens and veterans. Events DC has opened the doors of the Convention Center and its service partners have generously donated services to support this citywide pre-Thanksgiving event since November 24, 1999. Transformation of the 111,000 square foot exhibit hall into a “Dining Hall” complete with delicious aromas of turkey, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, and greens is a welcome treat to the guests who enjoy the opportunity to fellowship nearly as much as the tasty meal.
Such a monumental feat isn’t accomplished in isolation. There are several organizations that partner each year with Safeway and Events DC donating their time and resources to ensure the success of the Safeway Feast of Sharing including SunTrust, The Salvation Army, Unity Health Care, Aramark, Projection, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Goodwill of Greater Washington, Entercom, Digital Conventions, Hi-Tech, and Runway for a Cause Foundation.
An event of this magnitude requires the assistance of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers over the course of several days. In 1999, there was a call for 500 volunteers to serve meals, assist with the expo and distribute clothing. Now, the Feast of Sharing has an online volunteer sign-up for up to 1,000 volunteers to begin kitchen prep, provide wayfinding, serve meals, sort clothing, assist guests with selecting free clothing, serve as translators, distribute apples, facilitate senior citizen Sit & Be Fit activities, and support many other elements of the ever-growing program.
Events DC is proud to co-sponsor the Safeway Feast of Sharing and enjoys being a part of the District of Columbia’s kickoff of the “giving season.”
For more information about exhibiting in the expo or volunteering at the Safeway Feast of Sharing, visit www.safeway.com/feastofsharing.
