Bensalem woman attends 49th Chick-Fil-A grand opening in South Strabane
To most people, a chicken sandwich is just a chicken sandwich. To Marvina Bolton of Bensalem, it’s an opportunity to give back.
She started an impromptu Chick-Fil-A ministry traveling the country to attend Chick-Fil-A grand openings and using the award to give friends, family, church members and the homeless free meals.
The first 100 customers receive a free chicken sandwich meal every week for 52 weeks.
At first, she said it was just about the free sandwich. But her mindset changed.
“It’s no longer about the chicken, but about the whole experience,” she said.
She attended nine grand openings this year and 49 total, beginning in 2010.
“Chick-Fil-A has taken me to 18 different states,” she said, not counting the travel.
Each one has provided a unique experience to meet new people and spend time with friends and family.
“Even in the parking lot, God can use you,” she said.
Bolton works as a funeral director, and helping people deal with grief every day can take its toll.
“It brings a sense of balance to my professional life and my personal life,” she said.
She said the events are therapeutic for her.
The 48 previous experiences taught her what to pack for the trips. Her tent is set up with a tarp, portable heater, bed riser and portable DVD player to entertain her travel companion and son, Semaj. He made friends of his own at the event, which drew about 100 people by 4:30 p.m. beginning in the early morning hours Wednesday.
A group played cornhole in the parking lot while others read in tents.
David Bacon of Ben Avon is accustomed to camping, but he never received free Chick-Fil-A for a year from the experience before.
“It’s not necessarily the opportunity of a lifetime, but it’s something that would be hard to do otherwise,” he said.
Cliff Lester of Canonsburg said he has never camped outside for a grand opening before, but Chick-Fil-A was a draw for him.
“I like the food. I like the company. I like what they stand for,” he said.
The South Strabane Chick-Fil-A opens at 6 a.m. Thursday at the Old Mill shopping venue along Washington Road.
Bolton has no plans to stop attending grand openings. One day, she hopes to host one of her own by opening her own Chick-Fil-A.