BASKETFUL OF BLESSINGS
Bramlett Beans, Cornbread lunch successful, organizers hope to help at least 100 people
The 15th Annual Bramlett Beans & Cornbread was so successful organizers think they will be able to help at least 100 people in need this year for Christmas.
“People can really get together over food,” said Texarkana, Texas, Council Member Dr. Brian Matthews, Ward 4 director. “This is a great time to come down for fellowship and see people you have not seen in a really long time and give to the less fortunate than we are. And this meal is reminiscent for me of my grandmother, Vernice Cheatham of Wilton, Ark. When she made beans and cornbread, I would crumble up the cornbread and add onions and hot sauce.”
Texarkana, Texas, Recreation Specialist LeShanda Mitchell, who helped organize the event along with Pam White, an administrative specialist with Texarkana Water Utilities, said about 300 people came to the luncheon.
It took place 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Southwest Center. The cost of a lunch of beans and cornbread, a beverage and a dessert was $5 or six canned or non-pershiable foods.
The proceeds help provide cash and materials for Christmas baskets that are provided for at least 100 families in the area each year. The Christmas basket program is made possible through a partnership with employees from the cities of Texarkana, Texas, and Texarkana, Ark., and TWU.
“I think this is one of the best years we have ever had,” White said.
Mitchell, who was decked out in a festive elf’s suit with a matching hat, a bell necklace and red Christmas ornament earrings that lit up, agreed.
“I think the cold weather today helped us,” she said. “It was warm yesterday, but today was cold and that meant it was beans and cornbread weather.”
The beans for the luncheon were provided by Big Jake’s Barbecue, the cornbread was provided by Texarkana Independent School District, Coca-Cola provided soft drinks and Starbucks provided tea, coffee and desserts.
Mayor Bob Bruggeman donned an apron for the serving line and was joined by former Mayor James Bramlett and Bramlett’s son, J.W. Bramlett, a football and baseball coach and a physical education teacher at Pleasant Grove High School.
“It’s great how everybody came out to support this,” J.W. Bramlett said. “I work with kids every day. This event may be helping some of the same kids I work with. You never know who really needs help.”
Vickie Thomas, who said she has been coming to the lunch for years said she enjoys the traditional meal because she is a “Southern girl,” and thinks it is important to help out those who are less fortunate.
“There are a lot of people out there that just don’t have the kind of prosperity and good things that I have, and I’m thankful for what I have,” Thomas said. “I just think that it is a small way that I can contribute.”
Citizens joining the mayors and J.W. Bramlett in the kitchen included Amy Warren, Jileen Platt and John and Julie-Ray Harrison.
Warren wore a red and white Mrs. Santa Claus apron and asked Ray if she would wear one, too. Warren was able to convince John Harrison to wear a Santa Claus hat once she made him an offer that he could not refuse.
“She updated my phone. So in exchange for IT (Internet technology) work, I was able to put the hat on,” John Harrison said.
For those who were unable to attend Bramlett Beans & Cornbread, but still want to help the twin cities and TWU provide needy families with Christmas baskets, non-perishable food donations and unwrapped toys can be delivered to Southwest Center, Collins Center, Texarkana, Texas City Hall, Texarkana, Ark., City Hall and the TWU office.
The deadline for donations will be Dec. 13 to organize the baskets and purchase needed items for the families. The Dec. 13 deadline will ensure families will get the baskets by Christmas.