Hundreds Enjoy Free Thanksgiving Meal in Menifee

Hundreds of local residents enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal served by volunteers at Kay Ceniceros Center. Menifee 24/7 photos: Kristen Spoon

Tony Falco looked up from the trays of hot food he was preparing to serve and glanced out at the crowd, which included not only about 100 guests, but at least 25 volunteers to serve the meal.

"In our busy lives, we don't stop often enough to look at how blessed we are," he said. "Isn't this what Thanksgiving's all about?"

It is, indeed.

Falco, owner of Menifee Plumbing and an active resident in the community, had an idea several weeks ago: Serve Thanksgiving Dinner to those who are either homeless, unable to cook for themselves or simply alone on the holiday. Supported by his family and friends, Falco used profits from his company and personal funds to purchase enough turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls and pumpkin pie to feed 500 people in three shifts.



Photo: Tony Falco (far right) and family members prepare the meals.

Joined by members of local churches in the Menifee Interfaith Council and city officials, Falco set out to organize Thursday's event, held at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center. By the time the special day came around, dozens of other volunteers had joined the effort. Free meals were served to residents of all ages and backgrounds; all were invited.

"It's been on my wife's and my heart to help the less fortunate," Falco said. "As a company and as a family, we wanted to give something back to the community. We wanted to actually do it and serve it. Every one of my family is here, our close friends that are like family are here, and this is our way of saying, 'Have a nice Thanksgiving.' "

Many of the guests were seniors in the community who use the services of the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center on a regular basis. Eloise and Fedrual Harrison of Menifee enjoyed the meal with their son, Gregory.

"We frequent the center, so we heard about it," Eloise Harrison said. "We wanted to come and show our appreciation. Ordinarily, we would be with our son and his family in Murrieta, but they are with family in San Francisco. This is the first time in 25 years our family hasn't all been together.

"It makes us feel good that there are people thinking about the seniors. Some of us are less fortunate than others. And we're grateful not just today, but all year long."

Yvonne Velarde attended the event with her grandson Ricky Armadillo and friends William and Vicky Finch.

"Something like this makes you feel better," Velarde said. "We get tired of hearing bad stuff all the time. It's nice to have something positive like this."

Photo: Robert Lennox, community services director for the City of Menifee, and his son help serve meals.

One of the organizers representing the Menifee Interfaith Council was Linda Blanche, a deacon at Faith Lutheran Church. After council members Lesa Sobek and Gloria Sanchez pledged the support of the council, she was happy to be involved.

"There's a lot of hungry people and a lot of lonely people today," Blance said. "We're just happy to be able to do this.

"We have a great city here. We would like the rest of the state and the country to know what we're doing here. I'm sure they're doing it in many other places, too. These people take it to heart."

Falco smiled as he spoke of the blessings enjoyed by so many on this special day.

"I'm overwhelmed with joy by doing this," he said. "It's very humbling."

Gloria Sanchez of the Menifee Interfaith Council welcome the guests.

Tony Falco (center) and family members work in the kitchen, preparing the meals.