Salute e Vita Ristorante’s
Sixth Annual Free Thanksgiving Feast for Needy
Top East Bay Leaders Volunteer to Serve

RICHMOND, CA (November 17, 2016) … Where can you find the Mayor of Richmond Tom Butt, Superior Court Judge Diana Becton, Richmond City Manager Bill Lindsay, and Senator Loni Hancock on Thanksgiving Day?

Why, volunteering at the sixth annual free Thanksgiving Feast for the Needy at Salute e Vita Ristorante in Richmond, of course. This will be the sixth year each of them has stepped up to serve at this extraordinary event.

Former Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus, who is now Police Chief for the City of Tucson, Arizona, will be returning for his sixth year of volunteering as well, to continue his Thanksgiving tradition.

Allwyn Brown, the new Richmond Police Chief, will be volunteering for the first time, and Judge Jeff Tauber has volunteered to play music with the band from Northern Light School of Oakland. 

Menbere “Menbe” Aklilu, Saluté’s owner and founder of what has become one of Richmond’s proudest traditions, expects to serve 1300 guests in three seatings at this year’s feast on November 24. She’s coordinating with local shelters, churches and nonprofits that serve veterans, the homeless, women and children, and elderly communities in West Contra Costa County, and will provide bus service for guests back and forth from their sites.

What makes Menbe’s events truly extraordinary is not only her generous spirit but also her determination to treat the less fortunate with dignity and respect. Guests are seated at tables set with lovely dinnerware on white tablecloths, and served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in her elegant restaurant, overlooking the beautiful Marina Bay.

Menbe will also offer free flu shots for her guests, goody bags filled with personal items donated by the Richmond Rotary Club, and an opportunity to select a coat all of which have been made available through generous donations from the community.

As enthusiasm for this sensational charitable event continues to spread, donations have been pouring in from dozens of generous companies in Richmond, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga, and Marin County. For example:

·      Oakland packaging and Supply is providing tents and dining supplies.

·      Galaxy Desserts is providing desserts.

·      Richmond Police Department will assist in traffic control. 

·      Richmond Wholesale is donating 80 turkeys.

To “Menbe” giving back to her community is an essential part of who she is.

Although now a successful businesswoman, she was once a homeless mother herself. Last year, she created the Menbe’s Way Fund, managed by the nonprofit Richmond Community Foundation, to support the Thanksgiving Feast for the Needy as well as her many other charitable efforts.

Salute e Vita Ristorante is located at 1900 Esplanade Dr. in Marina Bay, Richmond, CA. For more information, please call (510) 215-0803 or visit Salutemarinabay.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kathlene Carney, 510-426-4100 / KathleneC@carneypr.com