Majesty Restaurant to distribute free Thanksgiving Day meals

Since Sept. 6, Majesty Restaurant and Marianas Medical Clinic’s “Full Belly, Full Hearts” initiative has distributed 700 hot meals and relief bags. The goal is to distribute 1,000 hot meals and relief bags by the end of the year.” (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

A Chinese restaurant in Garapan will be distributing Thanksgiving Day meals tomorrow as part of their “Full Belly, Full Hearts” initiative.

Majesty Restaurant, with help from Marianas Medical Clinic and Micronesian Brokers Inc., will give away free Thanksgiving Day meals in front of their Garapan location and deliver them to villages from 4pm to 5pm today.

“Thanksgiving is the season of thanks. But not all of us have someone to give thanks with, or a home in which to celebrate. …This is for the jobless and those struggling financially. …Anyone who lost their job or does not have enough to eat is eligible, on the honor system,” according to a statement from the management of Majesty Restaurant.

The free food distribution campaign has been going strong for three months now, with Majesty Restaurant and MMC serving free hot meals and relief bags every Sunday morning in front of Majesty Restaurant.

“Majesty Restaurant and MMC take the spirit of community to heart with their ‘Full Belly, Full Hearts’ initiative, which was launched on Labor Day weekend to help employees that have been laid off and had hours reduced or furloughed due to the economic impact of COVID-19. Since Sept. 6, we have distributed 700 hot meals and relief bags. The goal is to distribute 1,000 hot meals and relief bags by the end of the year,” said the restaurant’s statement.

The “Full Belly, Full Hearts” initiative doesn’t discriminate as there’s no age limit and no preferred ethnicity as Filipinos, Chinese, Chamorro, Carolinian, Korean, Bangladesh, and Palauan have all been recipients. Each received a hot meal and a reusable bag that includes a 5-lb bag of rice, noodles, bread, milk, frozen chicken, a dozen eggs, fresh produce, variety of canned goods, and a toothbrush set. Hot meals were prepared by Majesty Restaurant’s chef, while the rice, milk, frozen chicken, and toothbrush set were sponsored by MBI.

“At a time when other businesses are closing their doors, we want to open ours to the people most affected by the pandemic. The hospitality industry has been the hardest hit. Our mother company has been in the CNMI for 30 years and has served the tourism industry through the highs and lows.”

Majesty Restaurant added the reward they get from the “Full Belly, Full Hearts” initiative is shown by the look of contentment and gratitude in the faces of recipients.

“There’s an overall sense of gratitude. The staff and volunteers are thankful to serve, and the guests are thankful to receive a full nutritional meal with dignity. We will continue through the holidays or for as long as we have the capacity to do so.”

Majesty Restaurant management requests those who want a free Thanksgiving Day meal to email FoodBox.Majesty@gmail.com. If you are interested in donating or co-sponsoring a distribution or delivering meals to the villages, email FoodBox.Majesty@gmail.com.