Detroit’s Full Plates Full Hearts event prepares 800 meals to neighbors in need

DETROIT, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — In anticipation of Thanksgiving, residents of the Detroit area enjoyed some festive cheer on Monday.

It is a component of the yearly Full Plates Full Hearts event, which is organized by prominent figures in Detroit’s hospitality sector. The tournament is being held for the sixth year.

“It started as a welcome to the neighborhood event for Detroit Shipping Company in collaboration with Michigan Restaurant Association and Detroit Restaurant & Lodging Association and then it turned into something much larger than we could imagine,” stated Chef Petro Drakopoulos.

According to Chef Petro, one of the proprietors of Detroit Shipping Company, the event is made possible by the almost 50 volunteers, including culinary students from the Detroit Public Schools Community District, and the dozens of participating restaurants.

“We are truly fortunate. “Every year, we receive an increasing number of incredible volunteers,” Drakopoulos added.

“It’s a wonderful experience and moment,” Andrea Taylor, a student volunteer, remarked.

For those in need of a hot dinner, at least 800 plates were cooked, packaged, and distributed to various charity organizations.

“For me, specifically, and a lot of other chefs and business owners, this is the opportunity we can give back for all the blessings that we get throughout the year,” Drakopoulos said.

The hearts of those in need are filled with hand-served meals.

According to Drakopoulos, his group intends to expand and hold this event in even more Michigan locations the following year.

The Chef Max Memorial Scholarship, which will be given to a student in the Detroit Public Schools Community District every spring in recognition of Chef Max Hardy’s contribution to the Full Plates Full Hearts event, will also be introduced by the DRLA, MRLA, and Michigan Hospitality Foundation.

February 2023 was Hardy’s death month.

Alysia Burgio, who grew up in Metro Detroit, has always wanted to work for CBS News Detroit.

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