The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is held each year at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Thanksgiving Day.

The background

Now in its 45th year, the event currently serves over 25,000 seniors and residents from San Antonio and surrounding areas. It has grown to be one of the largest Thanksgiving benefits in the country.

The tradition brings over 4,000 volunteers to assist food preparation beverages, decorations, event-day volunteers, entertainment, security, clean-up and transportation, according to the organization’s website.

​In 1979, San Antonio restaurant owner and businessman, Raul Jimenez, recognized many senior citizens are alone and cannot afford to prepare a holiday meal for themselves. He established a Thanksgiving Day event designed to serve these forgotten individuals, according to the organization. A year before his passing in 1997, Jimenez's daughter, Patricia Jimenez, took over as the lead coordinator.


A member of the organization said food preparation began as of Sunday, Nov. 24, and continues until Thanksgiving Day, during which 550 turkeys will be cooked.

Also of note

In partnership with the Raul Jimenez organization, VIA Metropolitan Transit will be offering fare-free trips on all VIA mainline bus service, VIA Link and VIAtrans paratransit service for registered patrons, when traveling to and from the event.

There will be a worship service, followed by entertainment and dancing.