Oakland business holds annual Christmas brunch to help those in need

Even in just a tank top on a chilly Christmas day, Rick Britton said he could feel the warmth from the free meal he was eating at Home of Chicken and Waffles.

“I would have never ate Christmas dinner if it wasn’t for this place. So I appreciate it. Just want to thank them,” said Britton.

Britton stays in a West Oakland tiny home shelter. Aside from the food, he picked up some new, donated clothes because of the recent storms.

“All my stuff got wet, my clothes. So I got new ones to keep me warm. Pants and shirts, a hot meal, and something for my dog,” said Britton.

Derreck Johnson, owner of Home of Chicken and Waffles, teamed up with Center of Hope and The City Eats to organize the annual Christmas Brunch near his Jack London Square restaurant.

“My mother’s birthday is today. She was born on Christmas day. And we used to go out and feed the unsheltered community. And then one year when we were doing it, it rained a lot. And we got wet, the food got wet, and my mother was like ‘Why don’t we just do this in the restaurant?’ And I said that’s a good idea,” said Johnson.

Organizers and volunteers said it felt better to give than to receive, especially in Oakland, where there’s so much need.

“We’re connecting with people. It’s not just a give-and-go type of situation.  But this is an opportunity for us to get to know the people in our community,” said Pastor Kevin Hurd from Restoration Hope Ministries.

And they’ve gotten to know some of the less fortunate people very well, like Michael Babela. The 87-year-old is waiting for permanent housing.

“I live in a homeless shelter and I have very few clothes. And that was the best meal I’ve had since I’ve been in Oakland,” said Babela, who’s stayed in an Oakland shelter for one year.

Most people said they were thankful, thankful that they haven’t been forgotten.

And after his meal, Britton said he was taking a dozen meals to friends who live under a bridge. He said Christmas is about looking out for one another.

“Living in a tiny home, working hard, and doing what I’ve got to do to get proper housing,” said Britton.

Organizers estimated roughly 100 people came through for food, clothes and toys.

Da Lin

Da Lin is an award-winning journalist at KPIX 5 News. He joined KPIX 5 in 2012, but has been reporting the news in the Bay Area since 2007. Da grew up in Oakland, and before his return to the Bay Area, he spent five years covering the news at three other television stations in Texas, Southern and Central California. He also spent five years reporting at KRON 4.