NC Nonprofit Says Caterer Took $1,712 — Then Never Showed Up for Foster Youth Holiday Event

Nonprofit Says North Carolina Caterer Failed to Appear

A North Carolina nonprofit says they are of $1,712 after a catering company allegedly took their money and failed to show up for a holiday event.

The organization, SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out), is calling out Thompson’s Southern Cuisine, a catering business based in Mebane, North Carolina, after what they describe as a complete no-show with no refund.

According to SaySo, the nonprofit serves young people ages 14 to 24 who are currently in or have aged out of the foster care system, including youth in group homes and mental health placements across North Carolina.

Documents reviewed by The North Carolina Beat show that on Monday, November 24, 2025, SaySo paid $1,712.00 in full to Keith Thompson, owner of Thompson’s Southern Cuisine, to cater a holiday event for foster youth, social workers, and foster parents in Burlington, NC.

The event was scheduled for Friday, December 19, with food service set to begin at 5:00 p.m. — but SaySo says Thompson’s Southern Cuisine never arrived.

Despite multiple documented attempts to reach Thompson before and after the event, SaySo says they received no explanation, no refund, and no communication about the services that were paid for but never delivered.

Because of the alleged no-show, SaySo says they were forced to abruptly relocate their event’s meal service from the Country Inn & Suites Hotel to Golden Corral — something that should never have happened since catering had already been fully paid.

On Tuesday, The North Carolina Beat contacted Keith Thompson directly for comment regarding the alleged failure to appear and the lack of a refund.

Thompson told us the issue was related to transportation.

“My truck wasn’t working and I just got it fixed,” Thompson said.

“I just want to get this nice lady paid. Nothing was done on purpose.”

However, when asked whether he had communicated those issues to SaySo, Thompson claimed that he did.

North Carolina Caterer Refuses To Refund SaySo Organization

SaySo disputes that claim, telling The North Carolina Beat they never received any notice, explanation, or follow-up from Thompson or his business regarding the missed event or the return of their funds.

We then asked Thompson to provide proof that he contacted SaySo about the alleged truck issue. After that request, Thompson stopped responding.

SaySo says they simply want their money returned — and want the public to be aware of what happened so other organizations and people don’t find themselves in the same position.

As of publication, SaySo says they are still waiting on a refund.