Volunteers to Serve Free Meals on Thanksgiving

A local businessman and a group of community volunteers are working together to organize a free Thanksgiving Day dinner for all who wish to attend.

Tony Falco, owner of Accurate Leak Locators and Menifee Plumbing, said the project grew out of a desire to make sure "no one is alone or hungry on Thanksgiving." He is being joined by members of the Menifee Interfaith Council and other community volunteers, including Gloria Sanchez, in organizing the meals to be served at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center.

Falco originally spoke about a plan to make sure homeless people and those who are alone on Thanksgiving would have a place to come and share a meal with others. Since then, the project has grown to a meal that will be served in three shifts to as many as 500 people. Falco is purchasing about $4,000 worth of food from Sysco Foods wholesale distributor. He vows to make this an annual event.

Guests are asked to sign up for the event and be given a ticket to one of three seatings -- noon, 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. However, there is no cost for the meal and anyone is welcome to attend, Falco said.

"I don't care if you make $100,000 or $10 or you're on welfare -- you're welcome to come," Falco said. "There are too many people not having a meal or alone on Thanksgiving. We're going to do this every year."

Kay Ceniceros Senior Center is located at 29995 Evans Road in Menifee. Those planning to attend must call for reservations and tickets at 951-672-9673 and request a seating time. Tickets can be picked up at the Senior Center during business hours.

Volunteers to help serve the meals are needed. Anyone interested should call Gloria Sanchez at 951-306-7567.