Clay's free dinner draws those facing hard times
| Wednesday, Nov 18 2009 05:44 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 18 2009 05:44 PM
Loading Stories
Advertisement
Images:
Casey Christie / The Californian Daniel Ashton, left, Ralph Rodriquez, Roger Davison III, and their grandmother, Elizabeth Rosales, work on a nice Thanksgiving meal, Wednesday evening at Clay's Restaurant (formerly IHOP) during their 19th annual free Thanksgiving Dinner. People came early and lined up around the block for the event.
Casey Christie / The Californian Harry Kruger, center, waits in line at Clay's Restaurant with hundreds of others, Wednesday evening, for their annual free Thanksgiving Dinner.
Casey Christie / The Californian With a few hundred already fed inside Clay's Restaurant, still a few more hundred wait their turn for their annual free Thanksgiving Dinner at Clays', (formerly IHOP), on California Avenue.
Casey Christie / The Californian Angelique Espinoza, 2, finishes part of her dinner, in the parking lot, in her Pooh costume, at Clay's Restaurant during the serving of their annual free Thanksgiving Dinner.
Hundreds of people lined up around the block at Clay's Restaurant Wednesday for a free Thanksgiving dinner.
The restaurant, which was formerly an IHOP, has offered a free Thanksgiving dinner for 19 years, owner Clayton Hollingsead said.
"We want to give something back to the community. They help us out, so we want to help them out," he said.
He added that it makes his family feel good to provide a dinner for needy families.
Many of the people who showed up for the dinner have fallen on hard times.
Terry Py, 46, said he is on disability from his job as a furniture mover, which makes it hard for him to pay for food.
"I'm grateful that they do this," he said.
Greg Goodwine, 45, was in a car accident in 1985 that left him with severe brain damage. He was in a coma for 129 days.
As a result of the accident, his speech is slurred. He said people often mistake him for being drunk.
"I'm looking forward to going inside. It's probably warmer in there," he said.
This year's dinner featured ham instead of turkey, because it allows individual diners to have a bigger portion, Hollingsead said. The dinner was rounded out with mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, dinner roll and pudding.
Hollingsead said last year's dinner drew 1,107 people. Some years there have been as many as 1,500 and other years there have been as few as 500. Depending on the size of the crowd and the menu, it costs $1,500 to $3,000 to put on the meal.
Several volunteers help out at the annual event. Some have been there since the first year, Hollingsead said.
Diane Taggart, a nurse, has volunteered for four years with a Bible study group from RiverLakes Community Church.
"I consider it a privilege to serve those less fortunate," she said.
Michele Been, a nurse, is also part of the Bible study group.
"This is a wonderful outreach to the community," she said. "We get as much joy out of it as the people getting food."
