Flatlands residents got to eat for free on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 26th, after visiting the Melting Pot Restaurant’s Annual Thanksgiving Free Meal Appreciation Giveaway.
Serving up a heaping portion of complimentary turkey, chicken, macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, rice and beans, salad and macaroni salad, the family-owned business brought happiness and full stomachs this harvest season.
“We have been giving back to the community for 30 years,” owner Shamila Pantaleon said of her family. “I do a lot of donations . . . Now, I do back-to-school giveaways in the summer, and we do [the Thanksgiving meals] as our own giveback and we support local businesses.”
Pantaleon said that about 200 people show up to the giveaway each year, and that this year was expected to be the same. The event, which was held between 3 and 4 p.m., was advertised through flyers and word of mouth.
The Melting Pot has been hosting its Thanksgiving giveaway for four years — as many years as it’s been in business. Pantaleon touched on her favorite part of the event.
“Seeing the happiness in the customer’s face that they have something that they don’t have to pay for,” she said.
Amar Dyal, president of the Brooklyn Midwood Lions Club, a chapter of an international service organization, attended the event to pick up four portions to bring to seniors in his community who couldn’t make it to the giveaway in person. He also spread the word to other members of the Midwood Lions, so more people could attend.
Pantaleon herself is a member of the Canarsie Lions Club, though soon to be transferring to the Midwood Lions, according to Dyal.
“One of the things I’ve found with seniors is that sometimes they’re alone and they can’t come out,” he said. “Some of them are taking care of grandkids and at this time school is out, so when the bus drops [the kids] off, they have to be home. So, I said, ‘I’ll just bring it in for you guys.’”
The Melting Pot Restaurant (718-677-1157) is a Caribbean takeout eatery located at 4914 Avenue H. Open daily starting at 8 a.m., the establishment sells fresh baked bread and pastries, fresh squeezed juices, cakes and a host of Haitian cuisine, including legume, bouillon, soup joumou, fritay, mushroom rice, pork, goat and salads.
