Portlanders give back on Thanksgiving one bite at a time

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- For Marquise Cross, his Thanksgiving tradition is to serve meals to the community. The past 3 years was from his food truck, but this year it's his first with a restaurant of his own, Norma Jean's Soul Cuisine.

"When you're in the community you should help take care of that community that you also try to profit from for your business," Cross told KOIN 6 News. "It's always been a staple of my business to just give back wherever I'm at."

It's always been a family affair, too.

"Norma Jean is my grandmother. That was part of the dream. I wanted a restaurant in my old neighborhood under my grandma's name," he said. "I got my aunt over there serving food. My children just arrived."

And this year, the organization Race Talks is helping to fund more meals.

"Our goal through our work is always to bring people to the people over a meal, having a conversation, getting to know each other," said Dr. Shaina Maxey Pomerantz, the executive director of Race Talks.

Boulevard Taphouse

Boulevard Taphouse owner David Mosso held his annual Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, helping to feed 117 people. It's a family tradition.

"My dad was a great person and he helped a lot of people, as well. We are happy to carry on the tradition," Mosso told KOIN 6 News. "It will be my 5th year doing it and father did it for 20 years before this."

It's a group effort. His 10-year-old daughter Elena serves dinner and cleans off the tables.

"We get to help out people in the community who don't have enough money or can't afford to have Thanksgiving," Elena said. "It really warms my heart that people come here and we help them."

For some who aren't with their family, coming to the Boulevard Taphouse makes them feel like home.

"It felt like my place, the first time I came here," volunteer Patty Bryant said. "So we come, we order out, we come here. It's just wonderful."

Bryant said she volunteers to give back to the community.

"I love that we can help people that are less fortunate than us."

For the past 4 years, Mark Bidner has been coming to the Thanksgiving dinner.

"It's a fun place to come and relax and listen to the music," Bidner said. "It's just the joy of being around everybody and celebrating and just having a good dinner."

Union Gospel Mission

At Union Gospel Mission, they've served holiday meals for nearly a century.

"We just want people to know they're seen, they're cared for," said Union Gospel Mission Executive Director Matt Stein. "It's a chance to go above and beyond and also build relationships to what we're doing down here in Portland."

Cam Nelson was among those who came in on Thanksgiving.

"I came to hang out here with my family on the streets and enjoy some Thanksgiving dinner," he said.

Finding the food is only as good as the people you share it with.

"For me it's about family and being thankful, you know, and being grateful for what we do have," Nelso said. "It means a lot to me."

Marquise Cross and Matt Stein each helped feed hundreds, building community one bite at a time. They'll both do it again on Christmas.