"I have always wanted to do this," Rick Gatewood of Gatewood and Associates said.  "I wanted a place to volunteer locally to help the needy and those alone in our community."  Gatewood did just that. He along with multiple area businesses created an event appropriately titled "Families Feeding Families a Thanksgiving Feast," which was held at Christbridge Fellowship in Tomball the day before Thanksgiving.

Approximately 30 businesses donated money, time and in-kind resources to provide free meals, free haircuts, goodie bags, music and crafts for everyone.  Unsure of the inaugural events turnout, the organizers prepared for maximum attendance.

Pictured, volunteers dish out food during the first ever Families Feeding Families Thanksgiving Feast.

Approximately 150 volunteers helped out including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salem National Junior Honor Society, Concordia National Honor Sociey, Rotary Club of Tomball, Tomball Lions Club and Taw Kwon Do students.

Mayor of Tomball, Gretchen Fagan, was in attendance, as were some Tomball City Council members, past and present.  Tomball Police Department and Constable David Hill, along with some of his deputies and Northwest EMS also came to help.  Many businesses sent employees in groups to serve.

In addition to feeding the volunteers, The Patch Restaurant served more than 350 patrons who attended the event.

Legacy Beauty Academy provided 50 haircuts.

"Tomball truly is the Hometown with a Heart, as seen through the events of Families Feeding Families,” Fagan said. “I am not surprised by the turnout of volunteers, as Tomball is a community of helpers and doers. I am proud to have been a part of this inaugural event.

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The committee is looking forward to the New Year, as they prepare for the second annual event, which will be held the day before Thanksgiving 2012.

Submitted Photo

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