Nana’s Southern Kitchen will distribute 1,000 free meals on Christmas Day at its Kent restaurant, continuing a holiday tradition that has provided thousands of meals to the South King County community over the past six years.
The giveaway is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until meals run out, on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. Anyone who stops by the restaurant will be able to pick up a free hot meal, according to Nana’s Southern Kitchen. Each meal will include a main dish and two sides.
The restaurant said it is able to provide 1,000 meals this year thanks to donations from community members, corporate partners and volunteers. In previous years, Nana’s distributed 1,375 meals in 2024, 1,000 meals in 2023 and 1,700 meals in 2022.
Donors include:
- Microsoft Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Business Judson Althoff and his spouse, Laura Althoff, who donated 408 meals.
- Rodney Clark, Ron and Tiffany Mills, Laura Longcore and Melvin Flowers each donated 50 meals, according to the restaurant.
Nana’s Southern Kitchen said it is also relying on repeat volunteers to help serve meals on Christmas Day and encouraged patience as staff work to serve more than 1,000 people.
This year marks the sixth time the restaurant has opened its doors on Christmas Day to provide free meals to anyone in need. Owner Todd Minor said the tradition reflects the values of his great grandmother, Myrtle Henderson, the restaurant’s namesake.
“My great grandmother, Nana, used her food to bring people together, teach life lessons, and welcomed everyone,” Minor said.
Minor said service and hospitality were central to Henderson’s life and continue to guide the restaurant today.
“Service was in my Great Grandma’s DNA,” Minor said. “She made sure everyone always had a full belly, whether they were going to work, church, or school. We do the same, ensuring our customers get exceptional service.”
Nana’s Southern Kitchen is a family-run business that began as a dream shared by the Minor family. Four generations of the family now live in and around Kent and help operate the restaurant, which serves Southern comfort food made from family recipes.
The menu includes items such as oxtails, fried chicken, catfish, fried shrimp and pork chops, along with sides like potato salad, green beans, collard or mustard greens, cabbage, candied yams and macaroni and cheese.
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