Chris Williams’ Nonprofit Plans Major Community Drives on MLK Day

A FITTING WAY to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy is through acts of service — something chef Chris Williams has been performing over the last year through his nonprofit organization, Lucille's 1913. And on Monday, to mark the holiday, Williams and his team will distribute thousands more of their individually packed meals and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In partnership with Fort Bend County, the first of the drives will take place at 11am at Gus George Academy in Richmond and Tony Beccera Park in Rosenberg. And at 2pm, another takes place at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Fifth Ward. Meals at the Fifth Ward and Richmond sites will consist of smothered pork chops with mashed potatoes, gravy and collard greens; the Rosenberg meals will consist of bistec a la Mexicana, Spanish rice and charro beans. Willliams' Lucille's restaurant, located in the heart of the Museum District, specializes in well-refined Southern cuisine with infusions of international techniques and flavors — all of which is exhibited in the meals he distributes free-of-charge through his nonprofit.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Williams began distributing meals to frontline workers, and his work caught the attention of a larger organization called World Central Kitchen, which then bolstered his efforts to feed at-risk communities throughout 2020. Williams then founded Lucille's 1913, a self-funded nonprofit that will soon open a 1,200-square-foot community garden connected to its satellite kitchen at Pleasant Hill.

"We are humbled to continue this work and help feed our community on MLK Day," Williams says. "We plan to keep doing this on big holidays, and to continue to reach new neighborhoods and people who really need it. And the community garden concept will be an integral part of our approach as we continue to fight food insecurity."

Registration is required to receive a meal package on MLK Day, and can be done via Eventbrite or phone, at 832.802.7136. Volunteer opportunities are also available, via the Lucille's 1913 website as well as here.