Rabia Temple and Court Dine with Seniors … Again

Contributed by Noble O. Martin Rabia Temple No. 8 Oasis of Jacksonville

Thursday morning November 26, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida, the Nobles of Rabia Temple No. 8 and the Daughters of Rabia Court No. 25 came together to prepare for their annual Thanksgiving Day dinner for area senior citizens. This community service event has been held continuously for more than 30 years.

For more 20 of years, PP Norman Hawkins has personally coordinated logistics with building managers at several senior living facilities to ensure uninterrupted food delivery to the designated residents.

In 2019, the Rabia family dined-in with more than 200 Thanksgiving guests while delivering over 80 plates. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic forced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue recommended protocols, including restrictions on public gatherings. That did not stop Rabia. Just like most restaurants, they switched to takeout. Meals were packed into boxes, dispatched by the “Noble Express,” and personally delivered to over 140 senior citizens.

Rabia Temple and Court hit the ground running by quickly and efficiently assembling “to-go” plates with a hot, ready-to-eat meal of turkey, ham, yellow rice, green beans, collard greens, candied yams, dressing, gravy and dinner rolls.

Illustrious Potentate Demetrius Bruno and Illustrious Commandress Yvonne McKesson thanked the Rabia Family for their time, hard work and commitment to its community support efforts with another successful event.