Annual Tradition Brings Generosity to the Table.

This past week, volunteers from Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota returned to prepare and serve a special meal for guests at the Minneapolis Opportunity Center. This marked the eleventh year in a row that the group has offered the meal in honor of the birth of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“It feels so good to help people who maybe have no home or maybe not enough food to eat” said Tsering Dhondup, who has volunteered as a cook with the group for the past seven years. “We look forward to this day every year, when we can share our food and our culture with people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama tells us to be compassionate and kind to other people and to help others in need whenever possible. We offer this meal in honor of him—and as a way of bringing peace in the world. The guests appreciate the food. It is always a good day.”

Each year, the volunteers purchase the ingredients and gather in the Opportunity Center kitchen to prepare a meal of chicken and rice (seasoned with coriander, cumin, turmeric, and garam masala), fruit, and bread. Once the meal is ready, Catholic Charities guests gather in the dining area. Guests remain seated as volunteers serve them meals restaurant style.

The Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota has made this special meal an annual tradition since 2009. We are grateful to have such generous neighbors who—through their acts of kindness—make our community and our world a better place.