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Local cafe offers Thanksgiving meal for community

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This year marks the seventh year Ali Garcia serves a Thanksgiving meal for anyone who comes into Ali's Café on Thanksgiving Eve.

What started out as a customer appreciation meal, has turned into a holiday tradition, where anyone in the community is welcome to eat free of charge.

Currently, more than 20 turkeys have been donated, some coming from people who have never been to her restaurant.

Ali's Café fits 80 chairs inside, but the restaurant will do whatever it takes to make sure everyone gets a seat.

Last year, Alis Café served more than 450 people, and this year her goal is to serve a 1,000. Ali and her staff are encouraging the homeless and elderly to come in.

"My mom does not get a lot of money, she don't get food stamps you know, and on $800 a month, they can't give her food stamps but they can give them to everyone else," Garcia said. "So those are the people that I would love to come -- the elderly."

Garcia said her goal next year is to have a larger space donated for their Thanksgiving meal, so Alis Café can one day reach thousands.

If you are interested in donating to Ali's Thanksgiving meal, the cafe is located at 2929 Norton St.

She and her staff are all set on turkey, but still are in need of sides.

The Thanksgiving meal will begin at noon Wednesday, Nov. 27 and will go until they run out of food.