A volunteer hands out a free meal Christmas Day at Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

A volunteer hands out a free meal Christmas Day at Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

Nana’s Southern Kitchen gives away 1,700 meals on Christmas Day | Photos

At locations in Kent and Covington

Nana’s Southern Kitchen gave out 1,700 free meals on Christmas Day, including 900 at its Kent location.

“Altogether with Covington, Kent and deliveries to local shelters, we gave away 1,700 meals to people who drove and walked up,” said owner Todd Minor, of Kent. “Overall, it was a great success. “We want thank all of the donors for making the event possible and we look forward to serving everyone again next year.”

It’s the third consecutive year the restaurant partnered with several corporate executives and community members to provide the meals.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Day, people showed up at Nana’s in Kent, 10234 SE 256th St., and Covington, 27149 185th Ave. SE, for one free main dish with two sides per person.

Nana’s Southern Kitchen serves Southern staples, from a fixed menu, including main dishes of fried chicken, catfish, fried shrimp, and pork chops with sides of potato salad, green beans, mustard or collard greens, cabbage, candied yams, and macaroni and cheese. Both the Kent and Covington restaurants offer indoor dining, takeout and third-party delivery.

Nana’s gave out 1,200 meals on Christmas Day 2021 and 400 meals in 2020 when it had just the Kent location.

The event continues the welcoming spirit of Nana’s namesake Myrtle Henderson.

“My great grandmother, Nana, used her food to bring people together, teach life lessons and welcomed everyone,” Minor said.


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Mercedes Minor gives out free meals on Christmas Day at Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

Mercedes Minor gives out free meals on Christmas Day at Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

Tairyn Miller helps get meals ready to give away on Christmas Day at Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Todd Minor

Tairyn Miller helps get meals ready to give away on Christmas Day at Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Todd Minor

Nana’s Southern Kitchen, with locations in Kent and Covington, gave out 1,700 free meals on Christmas Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

Nana’s Southern Kitchen, with locations in Kent and Covington, gave out 1,700 free meals on Christmas Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

Nana’s Southern Kitchen has locations in Covington and Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

Nana’s Southern Kitchen has locations in Covington and Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Keath Crown

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