Bay Area

Oakland’s Two Star Market to Host 19th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration

Oakland’s Two Star Market’s manager Farouq Alawdi, said the market is ready to feed anyone and everyone during the afternoon celebration and feast that will include a menu of smoked turkey, chicken kabobs, pizza, Hispanic delicacies, side dishes and desserts to the 1,000 guests expected to attend. Families with two or more family members will be able to take additional dinners home with them.

Published

5 years ago

November 11, 2021

Oakland Post

Community residents (left) and volunteers (right) participating in Two Star Market's Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration last year. Photo courtesy of Two Star Market.

By Clifford L. Williams

Oakland’s Two Star Market, located at 2020 MacArthur Blvd., off Fruitvale Avenue, is gearing up once again for its 19^th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration to be held on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

Oakland’s local community and residents from surrounding cities will join in the fun and festivities during the Market’s afternoon food fest that has fed residents from as far away as Vallejo and Fremont.

Two Star’s manager Farouq Alawdi, said the market is ready to feed anyone and everyone during the afternoon celebration and feast that will include a menu of smoked turkey, chicken kabobs, pizza, Hispanic delicacies, side dishes and desserts to the 1,000 guests expected to attend. Families with two or more family members will be able to take additional dinners home with them.

“We’ve been funding and providing these hot dinners for the past 18 years” said Alawdi. “It’s our way of giving back to the community because without them, we wouldn’t be here. The community has helped to sustain our business since we first opened in 1983 and this is our way of thanking the community for their helping to sustain our business.

“This year, we will come back to normal, with tables under a tent in the parking lot,” said Alawdi. “The spacious seating will allow attendees to enjoy the full buffet-style servings, while also adhering to mandated social-distancing protocols and guidelines set forth by health officials.”

The annual Thanksgiving meal will be slightly modified because of the COVID pandemic which determines how large groups of people can gather and celebrate. For those vaccinated, it is requested they show proof of their vaccination. Otherwise, masks should be worn at all times when they are not eating. Masks will be provided for those who need them.

Two Star’s in-house SmOakRing Smokehouse eatery will assist in smoking 20 turkeys. Other local eateries making contributions include Dimond’s Vegetarian Pizzeria and the La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, who will partner with Two Star to make the event possible.

“We have a wonderful community here in Oakland and our event draws people from all over the Bay Area,” said Alawdi.

“We are looking for volunteers to help with serving the throngs of people we are expecting. Volunteers should bring their own aprons and oven mittens. Volunteers interesting in working in the kitchen to help cook and serve should sign up at https://2starmarket.com

Alawdi said “the only thing the public needs to bring is a good appetite and have fun while listening to live entertainment including Latin jazz, old-school and rap music. Also, donations are welcomed by visiting www.2starmarket.com.

For more information on the 19^th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration, contact Two Star Market at 510-531-3576.