![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01Jax_turkeys_Rob-Sumner_11272025-e1763757613767.jpeg\")
People have the choice of ham or turkey for holiday dinners. Jax Taylor wants to ensure there\u2019s something for everyone. Photo courtesy of Rob Sumner<\/p>\n
People have the choice of ham or turkey for holiday dinners. Jax Taylor wants to ensure there\u2019s something for everyone.
Photo courtesy of Rob Sumner<\/p>\n
Jax In and Out has served Gulfport for more than two decades. The family-owned caf\u00e9 built its reputation on friendly service, homestyle food, and a commitment to caring for neighbors. That commitment grows every Thanksgiving as owner Jax Taylor prepares free holiday meals for anyone who needs one.<\/p>\n
Gulfport Boomerangs<\/a>, a long-standing softball league, donated $250 worth of food to Jax In and Out to prepare and distribute for the holiday.<\/p>\n A Long-Standing Holiday Tradition<\/p>\n Eight years ago, Taylor offered 25 free Thanksgiving meals. This year, she plans to prepare at least 168 meals. Each meal includes turkey, stuffing, real mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, and homemade pumpkin bread with caramel sauce.<\/p>\n \u201cWe give them out the day before Thanksgiving,\u201d she\u00a0said. \u201cWe sort the donations, put them into boxes and deliver them.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor said the expansion happened because of community support. <\/p>\n \u201cPeople like Boomerang and organizations like that keep donating money,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n A recent $200 personal donation helped push the effort even further.<\/p>\n Gulfport Boomerangs Rallies Behind Jax Gulfport Boomerangs\u00a0has supported the caf\u00e9 for several years. Rob Sumner, the league\u2019s president, said the team wanted to do more.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started asking for contributions for Jax In and Out so she could prepare those holiday meals,\u201d Sumner said. \u201cWe have raised over $300 in cash, and we\u2019re still collecting.\u201d<\/p>\n Sumner added that teammate Jim Riley and his wife, Heather, received a $250 grant through their financial institution. <\/p>\n \u201cHe said, \u2018You know, what? We\u2019re just going to buy turkeys and gravy and bring them all over\u2019,\u201d Sumner said.<\/p>\n Helping Families Stretch Budget and SNAP Dollars<\/p>\n Along with that, Taylor teaches families how to stretch food budgets using simple pantry ingredients. She shares easy recipes for ham salad, tuna casserole, and shepherd\u2019s pie to help families cook affordable meals at home. Check out her recipes are below.<\/p>\n She also runs a \u201cmagic mirror\u201d program. <\/p>\n \u201cPeople or myself donate $7.50 or $10,\u201d she said. \u201cA matching post-it note is stuck on the mirror and if you need a hot meal you just take it off of the mirror and hand it to the cashier. No questions asked.\u201d<\/p>\n Year after year, Taylor continues cooking because Gulfport continues giving. According to Taylor, \u201cIt\u2019s the way it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n Jax\u2019s Easy Ham Salad1 can (16 ounces) of ham3\/4 cup mayonnaise1 cup diced celeryBlack pepper to taste<\/p>\n Optional Add Ins<\/p>\n 3\u00a0tablespoons\u00a0sweet relish2\u00a0teaspoons\u00a0yellow mustard\u00a0or dijon1\/2 cup chopped dill pickles1\u00a0green onion\u00a0thinly sliced2 tablespoons dill pickle juiceInstructions\u00a0<\/p>\n Place diced ham in a food processor or a large bowl and smash it up.\u00a0 You want it fairly fine but not a paste. Place in a bowl and add remaining ingredients until creamy and smooth. Serve with crackers or use to make ham salad sandwiches.<\/p>\n Quick Tuna Casserole1 box (about 7 ounces) macaroni and cheese2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna, drained and flaked1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom (or celery) soup, undiluted1\/2 cup milk (or as needed for desired consistency)1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)<\/p>\n Optional Add-ins<\/p>\n 1 cup cooked frozen peas or corn, 1\/4 cup crushed potato chips or breadcrumbs for topping\u00a0Instructions<\/p>\n Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175\u00b0C) and grease a baking dish. Cook the macaroni according to the box directions and drain it. Return the macaroni to the pot, stir in the butter, milk, and cheese packet as directed on the mac and cheese box. Add the drained tuna, condensed soup, and any optional vegetables, mixing well. Add a little extra milk for a creamier consistency if desired. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.<\/p>\n Optional: Top with shredded Cheddar cheese and a crunchy topping like crushed potato chips or French fried onions.<\/p>\n Bake for about 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.\u00a0<\/p>\n Want More Business News?<\/p>\n For more business news, subscribe to our newsletters<\/a>. Make thegabber.com<\/a> your homepage to stay up-to-date on all the news happening in Gulfport, South Pinellas, and the Beaches.<\/p>\n![\"6](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/014Jax-Turkeys_Rob-Sumner_11272025-e1763756614342.jpeg\")
Players of Gulfport Boomerang donated cash, turkeys, and the fixings to Jax In and Out. Owner Jax Taylor turned the donations into holiday dinner meals that will go to families in need.
Photo courtesy of Rob Sumner<\/p>\n