The Slow Bone (serving from 12 PM- 4 PM) and Mockingbird Diner (serving from 12 PM- 3 PM) to Host Freebird Coalition – Annual Free Thanksgiving Meal.
Jeffery Hobbs of The Slow Bone and Jack Perkins of The Mockingbird Diner will host a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone in need on November 22nd. This will be the fifth year that The Slow Bone gathers an annual team of volunteers to serve: the homeless, first responders, and people throughout the community suffering from food insecurity. Mockingbird Diner will be hosting it’s second annual free Thanksgiving meal in conjunction. The two events have joined forces to reach across Dallas and feed as many people as possible on Thanksgiving Day.
For the past five years, Freebird has taken place every Thanksgiving Day at The Slow Bone with assistance from local volunteers, and generous donations from businesses locally and throughout the state. Turkey, BBQ brisket, sausage, all the traditional fixin’s and Slow Bone’s famous Cornbread Pudding will be served from 12 PM until 4 PM Thanksgiving Day.
For it’s second consecutive year, The Mockingbird Diner will also feature traditional Thanksgiving fare from 12 PM until 3 PM.
“Free Bird was originally Jack Perkin’s idea,” says Slow Bone owner Hobbs, “that first year really was a labor of love. We had no idea what to expect. Over the years it has become such an important part of the year for everyone involved. We can’t not do it! We get all kinds of people: first responders working the holiday, college kids that need a place to go, folks down on their luck, and families that just need a little extra help. It’s just people comin’ together to help other people. I am really excited that this year we are doing the coalition with Jack, we are going to be able to feed twice as many people in the city in two different parts of town!”
“When I first conceived of Freebird, Jeff, Ann and I were all sitting at the bar at Slow Bone and we just wanted to be together for the holiday. I started thinking about how Norma’s was doin’ a free meal and I said, ‘Let’s do it and see how many people we can get involved!’ I just like having a way to bring everyone together. If we could get enough [restaurants] together in this town to host some people on Thanksgiving, we could help out alota’ people who could really use a break. And, I like being around people who wanna’ have a good time.”
At last year’s Free Bird, Hobbs and his team welcomed and fed over 600 people during the four-hour event. The remaining meals were donated to the Austin Street Shelter and The Bridge, both outreach centers for the Dallas’ homeless populations. Mockingbird served over 400 people and anticipates that number to double this year. Hobbs also anticipates a larger turnout and welcomes anyone who is in need of some holiday cheer. There is a Go Fund me page set up for anyone who would like to donate to the event.*
At the Slow Bone location there will be a children’s area (weather permitting) with the orchestral musings of Open Classical. The group will be featuring songs from their upcoming Thanksgiving concerts. Open Classical presents over 100 classical music events annually in the DFW area, creating innovative experiences for audiences of all levels of income. The majority of their events are either free or “Name-Your-Own-Price.”
This is a free event and everyone in need is welcome to come and get a meal, no questions asked. Freebird Coalition will take place November 22nd from 12 PM-4 PM at The Slow Bone and from 12-3 at The Mockingbird Diner.
Be a special holiday warrior and donate to their gofundme campaign.
