TAMAQUA, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local Italian restaurant continued its annual tradition of handing out free turkey dinners today to those in need in Schuylkill County.
Recipients could pick up as many meals as they needed from La Dolce Casa in Tamaqua.
The restaurant has been hosting the event since 2017 and has seen the effort grow.
They started with only a couple hundred meals. On Tuesday, they handed out over 3,000, 500 more than they donated last year.
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The owner says the support from the community has been astounding and that he hopes to carry on the tradition for as long as possible.
"He makes sure the people of Tamaqua are taken care of when it's needed. He's always stepped up," said Tamaqua resident Catherine Proffetta.
"Makes me feel good to do it and to see so many people to say thank you, thank you. You know, we really needed this today, you know, someday could be me that I need a dinner," said La Dolce Casa Owner Alfonso Picone.
The restaurant partnered with Koch's Turkey Farm and Russo's Food Company this year to make the event possible.
The food that does not get picked up outside the restaurant on Tuesday will be taken to other local families in need who could not make it to the event.
