“The Table” rooted in local pastor’s early lessons in service

(Seguin) — What has grown into one of Seguin’s largest Thanksgiving outreach events began decades ago with a simple lesson about helping others. Pastor Chris Larson of New Life Fellowship says the inspiration for The Table goes back to his childhood – a memory he so fondly recalls now that he is preparing for the free holiday feast this Sunday in Seguin.

Leading into that early memory, Larson shares how the tradition began long before it became Seguin’s communitywide effort.

“It started when I was about 14. My mom woke me up early in the morning at about 4 o’clock in the morning and we were on (school) break, and she said before we feed ourselves, we are going to feed others, and we fed about 250 people,” said Larson.

Larson says he continued serving meals as he grew older, preparing about 250 plates downtown each year before eventually being approached about expanding the effort to the Seguin Coliseum. He says the goal was never about the recognition, but simply about meeting a need. Once the event moved to the Seguin Coliseum, automatic partnerships with local businesses, churches, and volunteers helped it grow into a citywide collaboration.

Larson says for organizers, the event is more about a free meal. He says it’s about community and making sure folks are seen and heard.

“My mom and step-dad, they run a thrift store in Alabama and if you sit there, you will see people that pull up in just shopping carts because they walked and people driving the nicest cars in the world and I said ‘hey, do they need to come to places like this and my mom told me, you can’t judge a person’s need by anything based on what they have. You don’t know what they are going through and sometimes, it’s not even the fact that they need it, but they need The Table. They need the community. But if we can come together as a community – that we don’t talk enough. We don’t share stories enough. May be you help somebody but you don’t know their story, and I think so often, what can happen is we can drive in our bubble so much – drive the same way to work every day that we don’t even realize that there are people in our city that need this,” said Larson.

This year, The Table is expected to serve at least 2,000 people on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Seguin Coliseum. The meal will feature barbecue chicken, traditional Thanksgiving sides, and dessert.

While Larson says they have enough volunteers for the event, community members who still wish to sign up may do so and will be contacted if additional help is needed. Anyone is also welcome to attend, sit with guests, and provide companionship during the meal.

Financial support, however, is always needed. Donations help cover food and supplies.

Those interested in contributing can contact New Life Fellowship Church or Larson directly at 830-305-0248. Donations may also be made via the website at thetableseguin.com.

No sign-up is required.