Northwest Arkansas Times reports good eats Wednesday at Yvonne Richardson Center

Good eats : Early Thanksgiving dinner attracts crowd at Richardson Center
BY BRETT BENNETT Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/71507
Thanksgiving arrived early Wednesday evening at the Yvonne Richardson Center, which hosted a special Night of Food and Fellowship by providing visitors and guests with a free meal.

“ It’s good food and good company on the day before Thanksgiving, ” Karen Clark, a visitor to the center, said.

Director Erma Rainey was outside around 5: 30 p. m. to greet neighborhood residents walking to the door.

“ Come on in, you all. We’ve got a nice community dinner, ” she said, then proceeded to list off some of the food items for the meal.

The menu included Cornish hens donated by Tyson Foods, mashed potatoes and gravy donated by the A. Q. Chicken House and ribs from Herman’s Ribhouse.

Located at 240 E. Rock St., most of the center’s patrons are from the surrounding neighborhoods and south Fayetteville, but the center is open to anyone from the community.

“ It’s something to bring the community together, ” volunteer Nicee Hill said.

“ I think that’s what’s good about it is one, there will be some people who’ll get a Thanksgiving dinner that otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity, ” Nancy Allen, departing Fayetteville Ward 2 alderman, said.

Allen said she hopes to devote more time to volunteering at the center when she leaves the City Council next year. Its location makes it convenient to walk to for children and residents in the nearby neighborhoods.

“ I just think it’s worthwhile, and I’m hoping people will see the possibilities of what could be at that center, ” Allen said. “ The center is only working at about 40-percent capacity because they’re understaffed. ”

More than a dozen volunteers showed up to help out and serve food, including Mayor-elect Lioneld Jordan, who was stationed at the front of the food line.

In addition to those who walked, many people who attended drove to the center. Both of the center’s paved parking lots along Rock Street were filled with cars.

Inside the center, every table set up for guests had some people sitting down to eat at 6 p. m.

“ I think it’s great. It’s great for our community, ” Clark’s son, Skylar, said.

Some of the other programs the center conducts during the year include a summer movie program where youth can see movies at the theater, Rainey said.

Currently, they offer free men’s basketball on Mondays and Wednesdays and Judo on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the gym, she added.

A calendar of events for the month is posted on the wall near the entrance, and the center includes a computer room for guests.

“ We’re trying to develop a niche where most of the things are free, ” Rainey said.

The center has been located on Rock Street for 12 years, she said.

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