WAXAHACHIE – This Christmas, White Rhino Coffee + Kitchen and Runner’s Refuge are teaming up to feed 250 families in Ellis County – for free.

From noon to 3 p.m. Christmas Day, Dec. 25, White Rhino Coffee + Kitchen, located at 414 W. Main St., will be open to serve low income, homeless, and indigent individuals and families living in and around Waxahachie.

This volunteer-led initiative was created to serve a need for a community White Rhino has called home since May.

“What better way to spend our first Christmas in Waxahachie than to open our home and invite our neighbors?” said Chris Parvin, owner of White Rhino Coffee + Kitchen.

“If you are someone who will be alone on Christmas Day, you are welcome at our table.

“If you are someone who is hungry, you are welcome at our table. If you are someone who loves to serve others, you are welcome at our table.”

The dinner will feature items from the restaurant’s menu and be completely free of charge.

Parvin did note that diners will be seated first come, first serve, and have a chance to enjoy a holiday meal in a safe, relaxing space.

Runner’s Refuge is a nonprofit organization that serves the homeless community, families living in impoverished areas, and communities in crisis through long-term disaster recovery programs.

Led by Rev. John Stout, the organization has provided services and aid to thousands of individuals throughout North Texas.

Stout and Parvin have previously worked together on community initiatives in Cedar Hill and Dallas County.

“Runners Refuge is honored to have an opportunity to serve our community,” Stout said.

“There are so many families in Waxahachie that are food insecure. To be able to team up with our friends at White Rhino and The Parvin Group is an amazing opportunity to provide a high quality, professionally prepared meal to those families and provide a safe space away from the struggles they face every day, even if only for couple of hours.”

To learn more about Runner’s Refuge, visit runnersrefuge.org .