Popular food truck to pass out free Thanksgiving meals for Harvey survivors

CYPRESS, Texas – A well-known barbecue food truck will be passing out free Thanksgiving meals to Harvey survivors Wednesday morning.

Since the storm hit, Brooks’ Place BBQ has been collecting donations and dedicated Wednesdays to cook meals for people who lost their homes.

“I can cook, so that’s what I do and, if I can reach out and make someone’s day through cooking then that’s what I’ll do,” explained Trent Brooks, who owns the pit.

Brooks, who started the barbecue trailer with his wife eight years ago, will be serving smoked turkeys, dressing, cornbread, green beans, corn on the cob, rolls and drinks.

They have 50 people volunteering and prepped for 600-800 people.

This Thanksgiving will be tough for many people in and around Houston, but Brooks understands the hurt.

His wife of 20 years, Norma, was diagnosed with colon cancer the week before Thanksgiving in 2016. Norma died in June 2017 and the past couple of months have been hard for Brooks.

“They’ve been very difficult,” Brooks said about losing his wife. “I’m trying to find a new purpose in life. I’m doing this 100 percent myself, you know. I don’t have her helping me anymore, so it’s very hard, it’s very hard.”

Norma was always alongside her husband and helped cook.

Despite his loss, he’s using his pain to serve love and cook for the community that has supported him for the past eight years.

“I couldn’t just sit back and watch people who have, who are going through their own loss due to the effects of the storm and not reach out and try to help these people who now don’t have kitchens to where they can cook their own meal,” Brooks said.

While the pit master may be known for his cooking, everyone will know him for his heart.

“Well , she (Norma) always used to tell me, No. 1, I work too hard and No. 2, I’m too nice, but I think she’s proud of what I’m doing, I think she’s looking down or smiling probably telling everybody, that’s my husband,” Brooks said. “A lot of people don’t know that I’m going through something. They have no idea, but I hope she’s (Norma) proud. I hope I can touch somebody through what I’m doing regardless of my situation. Hopefully by me doing what I (am) doing and (I can) reach out to them and brighten their day.”

Who: Brooks Place BBQ

What: Will serve smoked turkeys and all the Thanksgiving fixings to Hurricane Harvey victims for free.

When: Wednesday, starting at 11 a.m.

Where: 18020 FM 529 (in the Ace Hardware parking lot), Cypress

Cost: Free for hurricane survivors. If people were not impacted they’ll have to pay, but that money will go toward donations