SAN ANTONIO \u2013 A San Antonio tradition wrapped up its biggest year yet.<\/p>\n
The 46th annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner<\/a> served a record-breaking 29,000 meals on Thursday. Organizers said they budgeted to make more plates<\/a> this year to accommodate the city\u2019s growing needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been so many people who\u2019ve been struggling\u201a\u201d Patricia Jimenez, the executive organizer and Raul Jimenez\u2019s daughter, said. \u201cWe would hear it in their voices when they would call us … we just knew that there would be some people who would be coming, and we didn\u2019t want to turn them away. That wasn\u2019t an option for us.\u201d<\/p>\n The team handed out meals in person at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center and delivered meals directly to homebound residents.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful that everyone can come together for one common cause,\u201d Jimenez said.<\/p>\n Kevin Brashears said the annual meal is a part of his family\u2019s traditions.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been doing it for years and for years,\u201d Brashears said. \u201cIt\u2019s special, it\u2019s meaningful, and it makes you want to tear up.\u201d<\/p>\n Jimenez said preparations are already underway for next year.<\/p>\n