ASBURY PARK – Langosta Lounge has announced its plans to partner with community ally Pat Sherman of Trinity Church to host its annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner.
Open to the public and free of charge, the dinner will be served from noon until 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Anyone in need of a hot meal or the company of the community is invited to attend.
Since its inception in 2006, the Thanksgiving Community Dinner has served as a resource for community members who seek a home-cooked holiday meal and are in need of warm, lightly worn clothing and coats.
Based on previous year’s attendance, an anticipated 800 guests are expected to enjoy dinner and utilize the clothing drive.
“The past year and a half have been particularly difficult for members of the Jersey Shore community,” said Marilyn Schlossbach, the restaurant owner. “Unfortunately, recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy are still ongoing for some. Others battle unemployment and a trying economy. Our Holiday Community Dinners aim to alleviate some of that everyday stress, and provide a warming, happy holiday experience to those who need it most.”
A recent nationwide cut to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is expected to heighten demand for food during the upcoming holiday season.
Although numerous community organizations will host soup kitchens this Thanksgiving, Langosta Lounge’s Community Dinner is one-of-a-kind. When most holiday soup kitchens are housed in make-shift cafeterias, hospitals and shelters, Langosta’s community dinner boasts an elegant, oceanfront dining atmosphere. Guests enjoy a hearty helping of holiday staples, as volunteers serve tableside coffee and beverages, pack take-home meals, sort canned goods and distribute winter clothing.
In addition to the Thanksgiving Community Dinner, Langosta Lounge restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach similarly serves complimentary dinners to community members on Christmas and Easter.
In support of its Thanksgiving Community Dinner, Langosta Lounge is seeking donations of cooked hams, turkeys, frozen vegetables and desserts, as well as lightly worn warm clothing and coats.
Additional information about the dinners or ways to contribute is available by calling 732-455-3275.
