By Cindy Williams

Home of Chicken and Waffles (HCW) opened its doors on Christmas morning to serve more than 200 free meals in the restaurant and to-go meals for the food insecure community in Oakland.

Oakland entrepreneur Derreck Johnson and HCW led the effort to partner with LGBTQ Center, Impact Oakland Now (ION), City Team, and The City Eats to distribute meals to low-income families and unhoused individuals at the restaurant at 444 Embarcadero West.

Johnson told the Post that he and his partners shared a common goal to provide food for needy families with a warm and welcoming dining experience delivered with respect and dignity at no cost.

More than 30 community volunteers helped serve chicken and waffles and handed out toys to the kids while they enjoyed soulful Christmas music.

“This effort comes as many Oaklanders are experiencing increased food insecurity and economic anxiety due to the pandemic,” Johnson said. “After a one-year hiatus, this coalition was eager to bring this annual tradition back while being mindful of COVID’s social distancing and statewide indoor-masking guidelines.”

The coalition recognizes co-coordinator Kieem Baker of The City Eats, Word of Assembly Church Bishop Keith Clarke, Abyssinian Baptist Church Bishop Kevin Barnes, Center of Hope Community Church Pastors Brondon and Maria Reems, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Mike Wallace, True Vine Ministries Pastor Zachary Carey, Pastor Randy Smith, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church Bishop Joseph Simmons, and all of the volunteers that helped to make the event a success.

Johnson cited a 2015 California Health Interview Survey’s data for West and East Oakland which revealed that 51% of low-income residents were classified as “food insecure” because they were frequently unable to afford enough food.

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