Final preparations underway for Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner

SAN ANTONIO – The final preparations are underway for the annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Day Dinner which takes place on Thursday at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. 

This year’s menu will include all the traditional Thanksgiving Day items including 9,400 pounds of turkey, 25,000 rolls and 3,000 pumpkin pies.

Doors will open at 9 a.m. and a worship service will begin at 10 a.m. The food service starts at 10:30 a.m. and will go until 4:30 p.m. 

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The dinner was started by San Antonio restaurateur and businessman Raul Jimenez and his wife Mary back in 1979 and originally had roughly 100 people in attendance -- but it has since expanded into a dinner that serves more than 25,000.

Those looking for more information can click here.

VIA Metropolitan Transit has once again partnered with the dinner to provide complementary transportation to seniors. Seniors ages 55 and older can enjoy complimentary rides to and from the event.

When boarding, passengers who inform the operator that they are attending the Jimenez Dinner and present a VIA Senior Citizens ID card or identification with proof of age will ride free.

Guests will be dropped off and picked up at 900 E. Market St.

Seniors who would like additional information regarding routes and scheduling on Thanksgiving Day may call 210-362-2020.