CAMBRIDGE – On Nov. 20 at 4 p.m., three local businesses will come together to serve a free traditional Thanksgiving meal to 200 neighbors at One Mission Cambridge at 614 Race St. in Cambridge. The Cambridge businesses, that have partnered before on community events, are Taqueria Floritas, Blue Ruin, and Simmons Center Market.

“One Mission Cambridge is already feeding the community and I thought what better way to reach people in need,” states Chris Rojas of Taqueria Floritas, who had the brainstorm for the project.

“I love feeding people and seeing people react to the food. It’s better than receiving money for it. My family has always given back to the Latino community and we decided to target those who are homeless this year.”

Rojas partnered with Paul Dendorfer of Blue Ruin for a Cinco De Mayo event earlier this year and the two are working together on other community events.

“I just want to help the committee as much as possible and just give back and support the community,” said Mr. Dendorfer, whose wife passed away from cancer. “I had three little kids so my thing is I try to do as much as I can to make them feel like they weren't shorted because of growing up without their mom. Through my business, I want to do as much as I can to make sure other people don't feel like they are shorted in life either.”

Rick Travers Jr. of Simmons Center Market has done a significant amount of charity work in the community and was happy to be a part of the efforts as well.

“Last year, we did a Christmas market at our place, and that's how we met. You make those bonds with people and try and stay connected through activities like this,” Mr. Travers said.

Each business is going to be preparing food for the dinner and their staff will be available to help serve that day as well. Angel Marie Photography and Shelby Louise Photography will be documenting the project through photography and video to use to promote next year’s event. The two businesses are also sponsors of the event.

To help cover the cost of the meal, the group has organized a raffle. The raffle prizes are $100 gift certificates to Taqueria Floritas of Cambridge, Blue Ruin of Cambridge, Simmons Center Market of Cambridge, as well as to Angel Marie Photography and Shelby Louise Photography. Donations for the meal will be accepted anytime.

“We are so grateful for these businesses stepping up to provide this free meal. Their generosity of spirit and resources will be a blessing to those in need over this Thanksgiving holiday,” Director of One Mission Cambridge Krista Pettit said.

“You never know when you'll be down on your luck. That's the background of our businesses and that's why we've worked well together. We also help each other,” Mr. Travers said.

For further information about the Thanksgiving meal, visit onemissioncambridge.org.

One Mission Cambridge is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 1 to 6 p.m. for services. For additional information visit onemissioncambridge.org, Facebook, and Instagram, or call 410-901-3959. For further information about donating to One Mission Cambridge, contact Krista Pettit at 443-521-6825. Donations can be made to One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 1495, Cambridge, MD 21613.