Safeway Feast of Sharing Celebrates 25 Years

The day before Thanksgiving, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center transformed from a simple gathering and exhibition space, to a large site to engage with the community, provide warm meals, and spread joy, love and hope this holiday season for the 25th anniversary of Safeway’s Feast of Sharing.

“We feel we’re in the business of taking care of people, we just happen to sell groceries, and this is just another way during the holiday times that we can make people feel good,” said Safeway CEO Tom Lofland.

With two lunch servings at 11:15 and 12:15, the event, featuring thousands of Washingtonians, entertainers, politicians and community leaders, in one place, came together through Safeway’s partnership with organizations such as Events DC, the Salvation Army, and Offices of the D.C. Mayor.  

“For the past 25 years all of these groups have come together because they really see a need,” said Kallan Wentworth, director of major gifts and donor services with the Salvation Army National Capital Area. “And we all just want to come together and take care of our vulnerable populations. It’s the season of giving and we don’t want anyone to be forgotten about.”

According to Feeding America, food insecurity affects more than 74,000 District residents, with one in nine adults and one in seven children in the nation’s capital facing hunger. 

With more than 1,000 volunteers and even more attendees, the event was more than an opportunity to celebrate the holidays and offer meals and resources to District residents in need of a helping hand, it was a moment to emphasize the importance of community.

“The community is what Events DC has been built on. The community is the foundation of Events DC. We must give back, we must create a path forward for every resident in the District of Columbia,” said Events DC CEO Angie Gates. “This is the week to be thankful, and I can personally say I’m thankful for the Washington, D.C. community.”

The day was a true community effort — from volunteers coming together to feed the many residents to cadets from the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Services Department.

“We’re letting everybody get comfortable with each other,” said the D.C. Fire Department’s Sergeant Robert Wilson. “We engage with each other, and we also are first responders, so we’re always the first ones on the scene, and we [need to let the community] know the importance of our relationship with them.”

In addition to  Thanksgiving meals, attendees were treated to programming and packages to help them this holiday season and beyond.

“Everyone who’s here today will get a dignified, warm, happy meal. They’ll be able to enjoy some events such as ‘Sit and be Fit,’ [and] learn a little bit of health activities that they can do. They’re going home today with a coat [and] with a bag of food. So the community is really just coming together,” Wentworth told The Informer.

While the event included thousands of people from various demographics, the youth volunteers were critical to the success of the day.

Nyree Kirkland, a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy came with some of her schoolmates to volunteer throughout the day.

While she was looking forward to getting community service hours for participating, Nyree enjoyed the opportunity: “to just get out and be more active and connect with other people, and interact and be around the crowd.”

Kendyll Melton, an 11th grade vocal student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, who sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” to kickoff the event, shared why it was so significant to perform at the 25th anniversary Feast of Sharing.6

“I am so excited to be able to sing at such a wonderful and wholesome event, helping those that are less fortunate,” said 16-year-old Kendyll.

As she reflected on the holiday and prepared to spend the day serving, Nyree offered words of wisdom.

“Just be grateful and love on people, because you never know when it could be your last time together.”