For the 27th year in a row, the Garza-family-owned McDonald’s at 1390 NM 528 is collaborating with St. Felix Pantry to serve a free Thanksgiving Day dinner to those in need on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rio Rancho Fire Chief Paul Bearce and Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele pause while serving meals during the free Thanksgiving dinner at McDonald’s last year. McDonald’s owner Julian Garza, St. Felix Pantry and the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce are offering the meal again this year on Thanksgiving Day. Courtesy photo.

The traditional dinner will consist of turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and more.

“For 25 years, McDonald’s and the Garza family have been instrumental in coordinating with St. Felix Pantry to provide a wonderful meal to hundreds of people in our community, and for that we are grateful,” said St. Felix Pantry Executive Director Sister Mary Angela Parkins.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg and Carrie Hull, along with Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele, Sandoval County Commissioners Jay Block and Mike Meek, District Attorney Lemuel Martinez, St. Felix Pantry staff and board members, Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce staff and community volunteers will serve a traditional turkey dinner at McDonald’s to the community.

“St. Felix Pantry has been a partner of ours for a long time and we are pleased once again to be able to provide the venue for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” said McDonald’s owner Julian Garza. “The pantry provides food, clothing and utility assistance year round and we are happy to support their efforts.”

McDonald’s will be closed to all drive through and restaurant orders beginning at 10 a.m., but will reopen at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Last year, over 1,000 meals were served and hundreds more were delivered to outlying areas.

The event is sponsored by the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact St. Felix Pantry at 891-8075 or [email protected], or visit stfelixpantry.org/ourevents/26th-annual-thanksgiving-dinner.