Bay Area residents and public and private organizations are gearing up for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with one special venue that is going ‘all-out,’ extending outreach to feed not only people in the local Oakland community but from surrounding cities as well.

Two Star Market in the city’s Dimond District will hold its 17th Annual Thanksgiving Community Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 28, between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Two Star is a family-owned, community-oriented business located at 2020 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.

Farouq Alawdi, co-owner and manager, along with his brother Abdo, are ready to feed an estimated 800 guests during their afternoon celebration feast where they will provide 80 turkeys, 900 pounds of grilled chicken and 200 pounds of kebabs, as well as all the side dishes and plenty of pies for dessert.

“All of the dinners and trimmings are provided by Two Star Market,” said Alawdi. “We’ve been funding these hot dinners for 16 years. It is our way of paying 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.

“This community celebration is a family legacy that stems from our grandfather back home in Yemen,” said Alawdi.  “It was during the Holy month of Ramadan where dinner is served for those in need….So, 16 years ago, my brother and dad decided to continue that legacy here in the United States and they thought it was the best way to give back to the community.”

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“When we first started this event, it was just for the local residents, and has now expanded for anyone and everyone throughout the surrounding cities of Berkeley, Richmond, Hayward and Fremont, where some of our veteran volunteers have come out to help with the event.”

Last year, two Oakland Police Department police academies, 180 and 181,  came out to volunteer.

This year, the Alawdis will need at least 100 more volunteers to help with serving the throngs of people they are expecting. Volunteers should bring their own aprons and oven mittens. The only thing the public needs to bring is a good appetite, and have fun while listening to live entertainment which will include Latin jazz as well as old-school and rap music. There will also be a bouncy house for children at the venue.

“It has been because of the hard work contributed by John and Denice of our staff who have been assisting us for over five years in taking the initiative to gather all the volunteers and coordinating all the cooking and sides,” said Alawdi. “They take charge of the kitchen during the Thanksgiving celebration and ensure everything flows smoothly. They are the reason this event is such a success. La Perla Restaurant, located inside of Two Star Market, has also been supportive by lending its kitchen and staff to help prepare for the feast.”

Volunteers interesting in helping to feed residents should contact Denice at (510) 504.8841. Donations are welcomed on www.2starmarket.com. For more information, call (510) 531.3576.

Clifford L. Williams

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