SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Joe’s Italian Food in Sullivan, Ind. held its’ annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday for community members in Sullivan County.
Community members were able to get a free meal from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and had the options of either dine-in, takeout or having the food delivered to them.
Nora Leone, owner of Joe’s Italian Food, said they have been doing this for the past 15 years and that it is something they enjoy more each year that they do it.
“We look forward to it every year. Last year due to COVID we were not able to do it so we’re really excited,” Leone said. “I just think this is a good thing to do and give back to the community. We have lots of volunteers and they all look forward to it every year.”
Leone said although they could have made the decision to close the restaurant for the holiday, she would much rather be helping the community.
“A group of young kids that was helping their mom deliver just said ‘it is so exciting to show up at someone’s door and they’re so excited to see you and so thankful that we’re doing this’ and it’s the same thing for me,” Leone said.
She said she lost count of how many people they were able to serve, but it stayed busy all afternoon long.
“It’s a difficult process of cooking 40 turkeys and 40 hams for anywhere between five and seven hundred people but it’s so rewarding to give back,” Leone said.
Leone said she looks forward to being able to continue to give back to the community in the years to come.
