WS Chronicle

For the past three years Chrissy Faison, owner and CEO of LeanBack Soul Food, a local catering business, has marked the start of the holiday season with her LeanBack Giveback Thanksgiving Affair, and this year the event was bigger than ever. 

In past years, the LeanBack Giveback Thanksgiving Affair was for the homeless in the community, but this year Faison said she opened up the event to anyone in need. 

“It started out as me just feeding the homeless, but as time has gone on, especially during COVID, I said, let me switch it up and feed everybody because they may not be homeless, but there’s a lot of people who may not be able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner,” Faison said. 

In addition to free food, this year’s event also featured live music, giveaways, games, and a bounce house for children. Members of the Winston-Salem Fire Department also stopped by to spend time with local children. 

Those who were up to the challenge had the opportunity to face off against Faison in a cooking competition. During the “Beat Chef Chrissy Soul Rolling” contest, challengers had to see if they could top Faison’s famous Soul Rolls, an egg-roll with soul food in the center. 

This year’s event was also the first to be officially hosted by Faison’s non-profit, the LeanBack GiveBack Foundation. The mission of the LeanBack GiveBack Foundation is to increase opportunities and resources for women in the culinary field, encourage food interest in children, and care for the world one community at a time.

“It’s an awesome feeling to be able to give back. I know that’s why I was kinda put here on earth, to cook for people who can afford it and cook for people who can’t. It’s amazing when I look at people’s faces and they are so appreciative,” Faison said. 

For more information on the LeanBack GiveBack Foundation, visit www.leanbackgiveback.org.