Pocono News Section

Free Hazleton Thanksgiving Dinner

Free Hazleton Thanksgiving Dinner - Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 4:29PM EST

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 @ 04:29pm EST

Thanksgiving is a time for one family to give back to those less fortunate.

The Safe Harbor Lighthouse in Hazleton serves up a free dinner.

Hundreds sit down to a meal they might not be able to have otherwise.

Eugene Milarde of Hazleton had dinner here and said, " It's nice, something to have, you know, because if you don't have nobody in life, you know, if it wouldn't be for mike or any of these churches and stuff where would you stand or be in life."

Milarde may be eating by himself, but this free dinner creates a family like environment for him and many others.

Lighthouse owner Mike Klesh says that's the goal.

This is the ninth year his faith based organization has prepared this turkey day feast.

Klesh said, "Well it's like a family. People when they come in here and they're eating, they're talking, it's like a fellowship. It's like a big family, like one big family getting together like a holiday and it's just a tremendous, joyous feeling.'"

Metro Postic of Hazleton had dinner here and said, "Fantastic, let me tell you it's great, you know to cook and the meal is fabulous. I think it's a good thing to do that."

It's all volunteer work here.

People lending a hand also made more than 300 home deliveries.

Safe Harbor Lighthouse also prepares free Christmas and Easter meals.

Much of the food for these meals is donated.