Kent, WA restaurant brings holiday cheer with annual meal giveaway
KENT, Wash. - For the fifth consecutive year, Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent opened its doors on Christmas Day, distributing over 1,400 warm, home-cooked meals to those in need. The event honors the legacy of Myrtle "Nana" Henderson, the family matriarch whose unwavering hospitality inspired this cherished tradition.
"There’s a need for people to be fed on Christmas Day, and I think that’s really the reason for the season," said Todd Minor, Nana’s great-grandson and owner of the restaurant.
A Community Effort
The event, which has become a staple in Kent, featured lines of cars wrapping around the parking lot. Volunteers directed traffic while engaging in lively conversations with drivers, spreading the holiday spirit. Inside, the restaurant was a hive of activity as meals—featuring Southern staples like fried chicken, pork chops, catfish, mac and cheese, and collard greens—were carefully prepared and handed out.
"Good morning, ladies! Hi, I need one of each," called out one community member as they collected meals, while others offered heartfelt greetings of "Merry Christmas."
"Our great-grandmother put so much love into her food," Todd said. "She used her meals to bring people together, to teach life lessons, and to make everyone feel like family. That’s what we aim to do here every year."
A Legacy of Giving
"This is her legacy," said Kyan Minor, Nana’s great-granddaughter. "Loving thy neighbor in the spirit of our great grandma. She loved everybody. She fed everybody. This is what the holidays were like for us."
The smell of Christmas morning at Nana’s is filled with memories: the smell of cinnamon and sugar, the sound of gospel music playing, and the sight of families coming together. "It’s like that every year," Todd said.
Reflecting on the first year of the tradition, Todd shared, "Our first year that we opened, Jamal Crawford, who played basketball in the NBA for 20 years and is a Seattle native, called me and said, ‘Todd, do me a favor. Open up on Christmas Day and I’m gonna buy 100 dinners. Can you give 100 dinners away on Christmas Day?’ I said, ‘Sure, Jamal, I’ll match you.’ Folks at Microsoft found out what I was doing, and they started matching. We got up to 400 meals that first year, and now we’re up to 1,400 meals. And I know we can continue to grow."
The significance of sharing a meal extends beyond nourishment. "There’s organizations that feed thousands of people on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday—not just Christmas Day," Todd said.
A Personal Mission
For Todd, this is deeply personal. His experiences have influenced his commitment to giveback. "I remember, frankly, when I was 4 years old and my sister had to steal for me to eat," Todd shared. "So when I tap back into those memories, my life journey to be able to pay it forward now is something that I can never stop doing."
The opportunity to give back is a powerful reminder of the Minor family’s commitment to continuing their matriarch’s traditions. "When I think of the one time of year to be selfless, it’s the holiday season," Todd said. "It’s better to give than to receive. When people come together to do good, great things happen."
Continuing a Tradition
Hundreds of cars wrapped around the family business as residents waited patiently for their meals. Some left with a single dinner, while others took home multiple plates to share with family and neighbors. The joy of giving and receiving was palpable.
For Todd and the rest of the family, the opportunity to carry on this tradition is nothing short of a blessing. "I’m honored to serve our community. Everyone here has now become family," he said. "We want the takeaway message to be: if someone is in need, help them. Whether it’s with food or just kindness, every little bit makes a difference."
"Every Christmas, this is the magic that we get to experience—to be able to touch the lives of so many people," Todd said.
The Minors hope to pass the torch to future generations, ensuring the spirit of Nana’s hospitality continues to shine. "That’s the plan," Todd said. "We pray this tradition carries on forever."
"The legacy continues. We love you," Kyan said.
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