As they have done for the past two years, the nonprofit Mineola Community Friends (MCF) are holding their annual “Friendster” event – an event that brings folks from the community together for a free holiday meal, music, games, and prizes.

“I believe, in the world today, it’s more important than ever to do something like this – to bring the community together, where you’re not strangers anymore,” said Brandi O’Shea, co-founder of the MCF along with friend Wendi Warren. “It just builds love, and trust, and fellowship, and it’s just super, super important.”

The purpose of the annual event, which is held alongside the MCF’s annual Friendsgiving and Friendsmas holiday events, is to make sure that nobody has to celebrate alone.

“This event is all about good food, connection, joy, and making sure no one in our community celebrates the season alone,” said organizers in a press release. “Our story is rooted in kindness, shared tables, and the belief that when we come together as friends, we create a stronger, more caring community.”

To that end, everything at Friendster is completely free. In fact, participants – except for those who want a free meal delivered by a volunteer driver – don’t even have to sign up ahead of time.

“We want people to come out, and there not be a barrier,” said O’Shea. “They don’t have to spend any money, they get to meet new people, they get fed, (and) there’s some kind of entertainment.”

For their 2026 Friendster meal, the MCF will be serving ham, chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, beans, desserts (“a bunch of desserts,” said O’Shea), and more.

At their event, the nonprofit will be accepting donations of food for the Rose Hill Community Food Pantry, donations of feminine hygiene products, cash donations, or even premade dishes to help serve the others.

Friendster will take place on Easter day, Sunday, April 5. In a difference from previous events, however, it will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. “so people have an opportunity to go to services if they want.” 

Participants can come from anywhere and be anybody. Participants have the option to come in for a meal, do a drive-through meal pickup, or sign up ahead of time for a delivery if in Mineola ISD boundaries. Signup for volunteering and meal delivery – whether to an individual or an organization – can be found on the Mineola Community Friends Facebook page, on the Friendster event page, or on the MCF website (mcfetx.org). The tentative deadline to sign up for food deliveries is Friday, April 3.