TEXARKANA, Texas (KSLA) – A 26-year luncheon, Bramlett Beans and Cornbread Luncheon is running strong and continues supporting the Texarkana, Texas community each year.
Former Texarkana Texas mayor James Bramlett and the Texarkana Texas Parks and Recreation Department started the Bramlett Beans and Cornbread luncheon as a way to address food insecurities in the Texarkana area. 26 years later the simple meal is going strong as ever.
“No, it never gets old I tell everybody I plan to live 100 I hope and pray I’m here 33 more years at 100 years old, serving beans and cornbread the first Thursday every year,” says James Bramlett, meal organizer.
Proceeds from the luncheon, either financially or through donations of non-perishable food items, will support the city’s Christmas Basket program. Bramlett said they hope to provide around 150 baskets this year.
“There are so many people in this area that have the need for food and I learn about that each and every day, each and every year, that no matter what we do to do the service there is more need than we can put forth the service to,” explains Bramlett.
Some attending the event say they always have a taste for a good bowl of beans but it was not just the meal that brought them out.
“You know this is a great event it supports the community and I like being part of that and I like doing what James and them have done with the community here,” says Robert Tyson, a diner.
The idea for the Bramlett Beans and Cornbread Luncheon came from a former water utilities employee who wanted to honor her late father by giving back to the community.
“Thinking this event would go two or three or four years and here we are 26 years, so, it’s a staple in the community,’ says Bramlett.
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