TAMAQUA, Pa. — Employees at La Dolce Casa DiMaggio's in Tamaqua are always busy in the kitchen, but the special dish on the menu this day isn't one they normally make.
The Italian restaurant provided free Thanksgiving meals to those who wanted them, and the community came out. A long line could be seen outside of the restaurant on West Broad Street.
Erica Hall was one of the 2,500 people to get a free meal.
"Times are tough right now, yes, especially for us. We have a family of seven. I'm taking care of an elderly woman who's on hospice, and I have a boy who I take care of who has an intellectual disability. So, this is awesome. We won't have to cook tonight, and it's just great."
Others like Michael Newhartz are grateful, especially during a time when everything is so expensive.
"A meal costs at least $10. You can never get it cheap. I went to McDonald's and got two Egg McMuffins for $10. I'm getting a whole meal and turkey dinner, me and my daughter. We're set for today, and I'm just so thankful and happy that they're providing something like this for the community."
The people in line were thankful to receive a Thanksgiving dinner and for many things this year.
"This is the minimum we can do to give back to our community because of the love and support that they give me all year round, this is the minimum we can do for them," said owner Alfonso Picone.
Sysco, Schiff's, Russo Food, PFG, and Koch's Turkey Farm all donated items to help the restaurant with the meal giveaway.
The owner says he'll continue the tradition of offering those in the community a free meal, year after year, as long as he can.