Before a young man begging for money enters a deli on East 204th Street and Decatur Avenue Yolanda Jimenez raises her voice and tells him in Spanish that he does not need to ask for help tonight.  “They have free food over there,” Jimenez yells as she points to the Lexa Bar & Garden.  Her statement is only partially true since on this night the guests at the Norwood eatery had to RSVP to the Nov. 25 event before enjoying the free food.

The Thanksgiving Community Dinner was organized by Councilman Andrew Cohen, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey as a way to thank the communities they serve.  Members of the International Alliance of Chaplains & Law Enforcement were also present to help serve food at the event.

“Our job is to lead with real solutions and not just policy,” said Bailey.  On this night multiple aluminum trays of pasta, rice and beans, and various stewed meats were set up at the back end of the bar’s counter to help feed local residents.

The festive mood inside included disco lights and a live dj to accompany the dinner event.

“This event is a way for us [elected officials] to say thank you to the community,” Fernandez said.  As she looked around and assessed how crowded the space had become, she noted that as one of the organizers she will discuss options to expand the event into a bigger space next year.

“We’re happy to see this turnout, but I think we’ll need a bigger space.  And I’d like for us to expand events like these beyond just Thanksgiving,” said Fernandez.

Some locals, like Jimenez, also used the event to voice concerns to the politicians in attendance.

She spoke with both Bailey and Fernandez about a local resident who died a few days earlier but needs money for a funeral.

“Everybody in the neighborhood knew him as ‘Super’ and he was like an uncle to us,” said Jimenez who has lived in Norwood for 32 years.  “I’m here [at the event] because I want them [Bailey and Fernandez] to know about him and to see what they can do to help.”

Jimenez raised her six children in Norwood and believes this event is a reflection of how local residents can get things done together.

“I know the people of this neighborhood and there is a sense of community here.  It’s a respectful, united community,” Jimenez said.