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'Very fulfilling': La Palapa Mexican Grill gives back to Killeen families in need

La Palapa teamed up with New Life Village to support four families with a full dinner

KILLEEN, Texas — While friends and families across the country celebrated Thanksgiving surrounding a dinner table full of sweet and savory offerings, one family took their passion of food and serving the community to new heights. 

Maricela and Arnold Soto are the owners of La Palapa - a food truck proudly serving the people of Central Texas for nearly four years now. 

"La Palapa was something we had in mind for a few years, of course money always got in the way," Maricela Soto said. "From a truck driver (Arnold) always wanted to do this, so we sold our house and invested in this." 

Their risk in opening a food truck has given them the opportunity to positively impact lives. 

Last Thanksgiving, the Soto's decided to help a few families in their community by providing cooked dinners. 

"Last year was our first year (doing this) so it was a little difficult not knowing people. So (we just helped) people that I knew needed a little help," Maricela Soto said. 

This year, with the help of James and Isa Banks of New Life Village that provided a list of four families needing extra help this holiday season, La Palapa is able to take things a step further, extending their community impact. 

"I just feel like we have the platform for helping people and that's why if we can, you know, God blesses us, so we want to be able to bless somebody." 

The Soto's met the Banks' at Killeen's battle of the food trucks event back in October. Since then, they have kept in close contact. It was Maricela who took the initiative to have the church help her find the families. Four lucky families were chosen by a Pastor who had his own special way of recognizing them.

The dinner for the families will include grilled chicken, Mexican rice, charro beans, cold pasta salad and papilla's for dessert. Arnold Soto began working on the grilled chicken at around 5:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. The meals were not ready until closer to 10:30 a.m. To the Soto's it is nothing more than a labor of love. 

The Banks' met with the Soto's at each of the homes, acting as a mediator between the church and what La Palapa was offering the families.

"It's been an awesome time," James Banks said. "To see the joy on their faces and to see they're getting blessed with something, it's very fulfilling." 

Looking towards the future, the Soto's plan on continuing this newfound tradition, growing with each passing year. Moreover, they have plans on moving their operation out of the food truck and into an established building. 

"Thanksgiving for me just means togetherness and being able to bless anyone that we can," Maricela Soto said. 

If you are interested in supporting La Palapa Mexican Grill, you can find them on Facebook. Every day they post where they will be located.

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