Hollister
– Twenty years ago Marley Holte and his wife started a San
Benito County institution when they pooled their money to put on a
Christmas feast for the community’s needy.
Hollister – Twenty years ago Marley Holte and his wife started a San Benito County institution when they pooled their money to put on a Christmas feast for the community’s needy.
And while Hollister is still reeling from the loss of Holte, who passed away in September at the age of 80, his friends have promised that the tradition of annual meals for anyone who cares to join the party will live on.
“This is really special to everyone who’s been involved,” said Gayle Hendricks, who sits on the board of directors for the event.
Each year roughly 100 volunteers feed upwards of 500 people on Thanksgiving and Christmas out of the Sacred Heart gym (the event hit an all-time high in 1998 when more than 1,000 people came to eat). Santa visits the children on Christmas, and operations have expanded to drive meals to housebound individuals who can’t make it out to be with family or friends.
“We have so many people volunteer we don’t know what to do with them sometimes,” Hendricks said. “People don’t even think about it any more; they just show up automatically. It’s a part of their holiday.”
Holte himself always stressed that the event was not just for the community’s less fortunate – rather, he wanted it to be a celebration including people from all walks of life.
“We want this to be a place for people who can’t be with family on Christmas, or anyone who wants to be a part of their community,” he told the Free Lance last year. “I think some people are deterred from coming because they think they’d be taking food away from people who really need it, and that’s just not true. We have enough for everybody.”
Hendricks promised this year’s feast will be the same as every other event, with one exception.
“We’ve decided to name it the Holte Memorial Dinner,” she said.
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, organizers are encouraging locals to consider donating money, food or time this year to make sure the dinner goes smoothly.
“We really want people to know that we’re not going anywhere. We’re trying to get the word out,” Hendricks said.
Though Holte will surely be missed this Thanksgiving, volunteers never once considered canceling the event.
“It wasn’t even an option,” Hendricks said.
To donate goods or money call 637-0566 or drop off any items at 470 Tres Pinos Road.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
