Boca Raton’s Town Center Mall Hosts 3rd Annual Christmas Day Feast with Boca Helping Hands and Community Volunteers
By Robert S Weinroth
Families from throughout the Greater Boca Raton area were the recipients of the good tidings and cheer at Town Center Mall Boca Raton’s 3rd Annual Christmas Feast. While the mall was closed for shoppers, the doors were open for hundreds of families invited to enjoy Christmas dinner, complete with wandering minstrels, a visit from Santa and toys for all of the children.
This is the thread year Boca Helping Hands has partnered with the mall and area restraints to help families enjoy the holiday. Served by over 100 volunteers on tables adorned with flowers, white table clothes, it was a truly festive afternoon. “We redid our food court to be a nice five-star restaurant,” said General Manager Sal Saldana.
Joining the members of the Rotary of Boca Raton were members of Congregation B’nai Israel and volunteers from throughout the community to serve food and deliver the toys donated by the synagogue and served delicious food from area restaurants
Food donors included Joseph’s Classic Market, Oceans 234 and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Mall restaurants involved are The Capital Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, Mariposa at Neiman Marcus and Pummarola Pizzeria.
Boca Helping Hands serves hot meals six days a week and has a pantry bag, backpack and job training among the programs.
Hot meals are offered to anyone from 11AM to 12:30PM Monday through Saturday and 4:30 to 6PM Thursday. The main center is located at 1500 NW 1st Ct, north of Glades Rd in Boca Raton.
Gregory Hazle, executive director at Boca Helping Hands said the idea is for everyone to have access to a good meal on Christmas, “not only something but something special!”
Santa took pictures with families and Pamela Weinroth and her elves passed out age appropriate presents, generously donated, for the children.
Saldana has certainly created a wonderful tradition and sees the event continuing to grow each year.
