‘Thanksgiving Grandma’ Extends Holiday Invitation to More Strangers

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An Arizona resident, Wanda Dench, who famously shared her Thanksgiving dinner with a mistakenly texted stranger seven years ago, is once again opening her doors to two additional strangers this year.

Dench has partnered with Airbnb for the expanded celebration, with the company pledging a donation to Feeding America, a relief organization.

The tradition started in 2016 when Dench, intending to invite her grandson for Thanksgiving, accidentally texted Jamal Hinton, a teenager at the time, due to her grandson changing his phone number. Hinton humorously responded with a request to join, which Dench warmly accepted, beginning a lasting friendship.

Their story went viral after Hinton shared screenshots of their text exchange and their subsequent meeting. Their ongoing Thanksgiving celebrations have become a much-anticipated annual event on social media, earning Dench the nickname “Thanksgiving Grandma.”

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Dench, 66, and Hinton, 24, are inviting Airbnb guests for a pre-holiday dinner on November 20, featuring a catered meal at Dench’s new residence in Prescott Valley, Arizona. The event includes an overnight stay.

Hinton expressed a long-held desire to extend their Thanksgiving celebration to more people, aiming to share the joy and fun they experience together.

The dinner will feature traditional dishes like turkey and mashed potatoes, as well as Dench’s preferred Costco pumpkin pie. Entertainment for the evening includes taking selfies, movie watching, and playing board games. The Airbnb booking fee for the dinner and stay is symbolic, set at $16, marking the year of their first Thanksgiving together. Guests must cover their own travel expenses.

Airbnb has not disclosed the donation amount for Feeding America.

Dench hopes this gesture will inspire others to embrace new friendships and extend hospitality to strangers.

In related news, The Arizona Republic has reported that a film depicting the unique friendship between Dench and Hinton is under consideration.

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More about Thanksgiving Grandma

• Wanda Dench, who accidentally texted a stranger for Thanksgiving, to host 2 more strangers this year
• Airbnb guests invited to Thanksgiving dinner with ‘Thanksgiving Grandma’
• Wanda Dench: ‘Thanksgiving Grandma’ who invited stranger is back
• Feeding America, the relief organization benefiting from the partnership