SCRANTON -- We met Giovanni Piccolino in the early morning hours in the back kitchen of his pizza shop in downtown Scranton. He started cooking around 11:00 at night and went until dawn.
He lined up a stack of orders preparing for a busy day. But, he's not making pizza this time. The store he owns with his family, Buona Pizza, is preparing a free Thanksgiving meal for the sixth year in a row.
"Without the community we wouldn't be here, so we just want to pass it on," Piccolino said.
The payoff for Piccolino comes a few hours later when folks show up for turkey, sweet potatoes, and all the trimmings.
"I'm so glad that Buona Pizza place does this every year and I really like it a lot," said Sandy Shamro of Scranton.
Buona delivers meals to any place within the city limits. Plus, a steady stream of folks coming to eat at the pizza shop. People who wouldn't otherwise have anywhere to go.
"I just experienced the loss of my mother so I really don't have many family in the area. So, to have a place to come out here, you know, to share with the community. It's really a pleasure, it makes me feel good," said Curt Bichler of Scranton
"I would be home alone, and my friend here, we decided to come here to just not be home alone and have a good time. Be able to sit and talk and laugh," added Tammy Fritsch of Scranton.
In all, Buona Pizza expects to serve about 300 meals this Thanksgiving.