HEB Feast of Sharing Returns to Del Rio, Thousands Served

HEB's Feast of Sharing returned to Del Rio on Saturday, November 22 at the Del Rio Civic Center, 1915 Veterans Boulevard, serving a free turkey dinner with trimmings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event was free and open to the public and typically draws between 3,000 and 5,000 attendees, turning the civic center into a focal point for holiday relief and community gathering.

The meal was organized by HEB in coordination with local partners and supported by live entertainment. Local institutions and volunteers played a visible role in delivering the service, including staff and volunteers from Val Verde Regional Medical Center, the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, personnel from Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio Police Department cadets, and students from Del Rio High School. Volunteers had been encouraged to check with local HEB stores for signup information prior to the event.

For many residents the event provided more than a holiday meal. The large turnout underscored ongoing community demand for food assistance and the importance of public private partnerships in meeting immediate needs. With thousands attending, the distribution required coordination of volunteers, crowd management, and food safety oversight. The involvement of healthcare and public safety organizations helped address those logistical needs and signaled a broader civic commitment to supporting vulnerable residents during the holiday period.

The Feast of Sharing model raises policy questions that extend beyond a single annual meal. Reliance on corporate sponsored events to provide large scale food assistance highlights gaps in the social safety net at times when demand spikes. The event demonstrated local capacity for coordinated response, while also pointing to the potential need for more sustained investment in food security programs, coordinated volunteer management, and infrastructure to support large community distributions.

For civic engagement the dinner offered practical opportunities. High school students and law enforcement cadets gained experience in public service, while base volunteers and medical center staff contributed institutional resources. That mix of participants illustrates how civic institutions can leverage staff and volunteer time to address community needs, while also creating channels for future collaboration.

HEB and its community partners have made the Feast of Sharing a recurring feature in Del Rio. As residents reflect on the immediate benefit of a free holiday meal, the event also invites local leaders and service providers to consider how annual charitable efforts can be linked to longer term strategies for hunger relief and community resilience. According to reporting in The 830 Times, the meal and entertainment concluded on Saturday afternoon, leaving organizers to assess turnout and plan for future efforts.