On November 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nashville bakery owner Kathy Leslie was cooking up hot holiday meals for over 700 families.
It’s a tradition that Leslie’s Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe has been carrying on for nine years.
“So listen, this is the truth: people are hurting,” Leslie told News Channel 5 Nashville. “They’re hurting financially, they don’t have food, they’re hurting mentally.”
“So we just need to do the best that we can to be kind, loving, and generous to somebody,” Leslie emphasized. “That’s called Shugga, baby!”
Shugga Hi’s annual Thanksgiving cook-out began in 2017, when Leslie started the Harvest Meal giveaway with her sister Sandra E. Austin, who passed away in 2021.
Every year since, Leslie has organized the tradition under Sandra’s name, in memory of her generosity.
With the help of Prince’s Hot Chicken and the Housing Fund, Shugga Hi Bakery employees — and local volunteers — estimated that they served around 1,000 free meals at the Saturday event, which doubled as a community-wide block party.
“Everybody seems happy, everybody’s having fun,” one Nashville local said, as her neighbors danced and sang in the streets.
“The food is amazing,” said Jakayla, a young girl who attended the event, adding that the event was “life-saving for people that need food.”
“That’s what we’re doing,” added one volunteer. “We’re loving on them, showing them that they care and showing them that they’re part of a great community.”
After the event wrapped on Saturday, Shugga Hi’s Facebook page was flooded with well-wishes from local Tennesseans.
One comment read: “Yesterday was absolutely amazing, and kudos to you all for always being such a blessing to the community! Keep up the good work!”
“Such a blessing to the people in Nashville,” said another.
“Thank you for all you do and give back to the community,” one local said. “You are truly for REAL.”
Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe is located at 1000 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207.
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Header image via Shugga Hi Bakery & Cafe
