By Shawn King
The Afrikan Poetry Theatre will be celebrating Thanksgiving by giving back to the people of its community.
The theater will hold its annual Thanksgiving feast and clothing drive Thanksgiving Day at 176-03 Jamaica Ave.
The theater began hosting the feast nearly 15 years ago. Last year the dinner had an unexpectedly large turnout due to Hurricane Sandy.
John Watusi Branch, executive director of the theater, thinks this year’s dinner will be equally as successful.
“There’s normally a line outside before we start serving dinner. We try to seat about 50 people at a time, then bring in the next group,” Branch said.
All local shelters have been invited, but anyone off the street is welcome to come grab a bite.
The dinner will be comprised of dishes made by poetry club members as well as volunteers. There will be live poetry and music to entertain guests while they dine. All who are interested in donating a dish or volunteering may do so as well.
The 103rd Precinct is donating 15 turkeys to the drive for a second year in a row. After dinner, those in need will be able to pick out clothes that have been donated. Local high school and college students and poetry theater members will be among the volunteers.
Dinner will be served Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested in volunteering or donating food and clothing in good condition may call 718-523-3312 for more information.
The Afrikan Poetry Theatre Inc. is a nonprofit that has been providing a range of cultural, educational, recreational and social development programs in the Jamaica area since 1978.
