December 23, 2022 –Southern University at Shreveport’s (SUSLA) Milam Street Kitchen Incubator and Community Kitchen (MS KICK), in collaboration with Big Nate’s BBQ and More, hosted a Christmas Dinner Giveaway to local residents for the Christmas Holidays. The dinners were provided on Friday, the day before Christmas Eve, and dinners were served to over 150 residents. This is the inaugural event for Big Nate’s BBQ and Big Nate plans to host this event on an annual basis.

Other small businesses that contributed to the dinners were Chef Joslin (Vegans on the Run), Chef Mosa (Sassi Catering), and Chef Chris (So Goody Good Meal Preps). Big Nate’s signature phrase “For the Community” was the inspiration and supporting the cause of why he wanted to provide these dinners to the underserved residents of Shreveport-Bossier. Through this annual feeding program, he hopes to show that we are here in the community to support and to also show that being in business is more than just making profits but giving back as well. “This was the first event that I have taken the lead on and I am thankful for the support of my fellow Tenants, MS KICK, and the local community for making the Christmas Dinner Giveaway a success and looking forward to doing this for years to come” when asked about the future of the Christmas Dinner Giveaway. This dinner was also made possible with the assistance of Providence House of Shreveport and volunteers from the Shreveport Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce. 

Many of the current tenants began the program by participating in the Grab and Go Feeding Program. This MS KICK initiative was to help combat the negative impacts of businesses and restaurants closing at the beginning of the pandemic. They were provided with contracts to prepare hot and healthy meals for residents of the Allendale, Ledbetter Heights, and West Edge communities. MS KICK is located at 1210 Milam Street in Shreveport. To see a full listing of the Tenants that are housed at MS KICK and more information about our programming please visit www.mskick.org. To set up a tour or consultation at MS KICK please contact Interim Executive Director, Monique Armand at 318-670-9780 or email mskick@susla.edu.