Christmas is a time for giving, and one Kent restaurant took that to heart, ensuring hundreds enjoyed a warm meal this holiday season.
Nana's Southern Kitchen, known for its Southern-style cuisine, once again opened its doors on Christmas Day, offering a heartwarming act of generosity. This isn't just a business; it's a family deeply rooted in values, where feeding those in need is paramount.
"No questions asked. No judgment zone. If you’re hungry, that’s what we’re here to do," shared Kyan Minor, Operations Manager and the great-granddaughter of the restaurant's namesake, Myrtle Henderson, affectionately known as Nana. For the Minor family, Christmas is a time to embody their faith through action. They believe that providing for others is more important than any gift under the tree.
This tradition stems from Minor's family's roots in a small Virginia town, where hospitality is a way of life. For the past six years, Nana's Southern Kitchen has been giving away hundreds of free meals on Christmas.
But here's where it gets inspiring: The kitchen serves up a feast of hot dishes, including chicken wings, catfish, pork chops, and a variety of side dishes. This is made possible through donations from Microsoft and other private contributors. On Christmas Day, the Minor family, spanning four generations, along with volunteers from across Western Washington, come together to make this event a success.
They believe in expressing love through food, especially during the holiday season. As Minor put it, "The goal is to make the belly happy, so the heart is happy." And this is the part most people miss: The Minor family initially aimed to give away 730 free meals, but they estimate they served closer to 1,000. Over the past three years, they've cooked and handed out between 1,000 and 1,700 free meals on Christmas.
What do you think about this act of generosity? Do you know of any similar initiatives in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments!
