Mama Reacer heads back to the café kitchen with Mike to start setting up for the dinner crowd. Photo by Louise Krafft.
For 10 years before each Thanksgiving, Nathan Carter has been on a mission. With the help of his mother and siblings, he provides free turkeys to low-income residents of Alexandria as a way of giving thanks and giving back.
Carter’s mom, Mama Reacer, opened a soul food café near the corner of Monroe and Mount Vernon Avenue’s a few years ago. That was the pick-up location for this year’s benefit give-a-way. Carter pays for the turkeys and volunteers work to help distribute them. Recipients
flocked to the café on Monday, Nov. 24 and waited outside for the truck to arrive. Traffic was difficult and Carter did not arrive until 3:30 p.m. but everyone waited. Lyric Hawkins, former hair salon owner on Patrick Street provided care bags for the women. Carter’s brother Randolph commented that this is about community and inspiring others to do the same for those in need.
