For 10 years, a former restaurateur in Jackson has sponsored free community dinners to spread holiday cheer to all.
As a former restaurateur and the current owner of Curly’s Kitchen food truck, Ron Cook knows most eating establishments close on Christmas Day. After his mother passed away, he realized what it felt like to be alone on holidays. So in 2015, Ron hosted a free community dinner at his Jackson Stooges Restaurant on Christmas Day to allow people to feast together. The event was so successful that the next year, he expanded it to Thanksgiving Day. With the help of volunteers, he continues to hold these free meals in Jackson at the Jackson Elks Lodge, feeding people small-town goodwill along with turkey, ham, and all the trimmings.
Q|What was your initial vision for this holiday gathering?
A| Another restaurant about 30 miles from me did something like this, and I always wanted to do something similar for the Jackson community. It’s a communitywide event for everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We always have the event on the actual holiday, so my volunteers give up a great portion of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day to help with this event. I couldn’t do it without them.
Q|What does it take to pull a function like this off?
A|We have about 30 volunteers, and about 20 have been with me for every meal the past 10 years. After I sold my restaurant in 2018, the Jackson Elks Lodge stepped up and donated their event hall for us. This event has always been free, but we do accept donations. People can drop money in a bucket if they want. When hams tripled in price two years ago, I mentioned that on Facebook, and the next day or two, I had 11 hams dropped off by individuals. In this community, if I need something, somebody helps out.
Q|How many people attend, and what happens at the event?
A|We feed from 500 to 600 people each day. We have two seatings for our meals, 11:30 AM and 1 PM. We have Santa at our 1 PM meal on Christmas. With the help of the Jackson Police Department’s toy drive, the Jackson Community Outreach Board, and other donations, Santa has a couple of gifts for each kid. We do require reservations so we know how many people to cook for.
Q|What’s in store for the future of this event?
A|Every year I wonder, ‘Can I do this again?’ because I do a lot of catering in December from my food truck. But then I remember the looks on peoples’ faces when I open the doors every year at 11:15 AM sharp. I can’t stop, and I don’t want to.
To follow Curly’s Kitchen or for reservation information for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas community meals in Jackson, visit Curly’s Kitchen on Facebook.
Originally published in the 2024 November/December edition of Missouri Life magazine.
