Thankful for support
<p>Brad Case, executive chef for Fedora Pub and Grille, moves a tray of roast turkey from the oven to a prep area of the kitchen Monday during his shift. The restaurant is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner for the community on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.</p>
Three local restaurants thankful for community support that has kept them in business are giving back by offering free Thanksgiving dinners to anyone in need on Thursday.
Grandma Zula's restaurant, 306 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, will host a dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Fedora Pub and Grille, 1726 W. Kathleen, Coeur d'Alene, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Pepe Caldo Pizzeria, 1606 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, from 2 until approximately 6 p.m.
In addition, St. George's Catholic Church, 2004 N. Lucas St., Post Falls, will host a free dinner from 2-4 p.m. and the Lake City Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, Coeur d'Alene, from noon to 2 p.m.
Cash and/or pie donations will be accepted at each of the sites to defray costs, but are not required.
Fedora fed more than 1,000 people last year at the restaurant and with meals delivered to homes in its first year of offering the meal.
"After two incredible years of business in this wonderful community, we want to keep giving back," said John Malee, co-owner. "That's what it means to be a part of such a great community. Even with all the growth here, we are all still so small town when it comes to being there for each other when it counts. This is our way to help make it count.
"The time and stories people were willing to share with me last year were priceless."
Music will be provided.
"We want to make sure everyone in the community has a memorable Thanksgiving," Malee said.
Those interested in volunteering at the Fedora event can call 659-5658. Residents who would like to have a meal delivered can call 765-8888.
Those who would like to have a meal delivered or want to volunteer at the Lake City Center event can call Mike or Vickie Hillicoss at (509) 226-3208.
Kari Turnbough, owner of Grandma Zula's, thought the meal would be a great way to celebrate the restaurant's one-year anniversary.
"I'm fortunate to have food on my table, but I know there's others who don't," she said. "I want to have a place for people to come. The community has been good to us and I want to give back."
Charity Wixom, co-owner of the Pepe Caldo Pizzeria that has been in business nearly three years, said her business will offer a traditional meal along with pizza.
"The only reason we're here is that the community has kept us here," Wixom said.
For more information on the events, call Grandma Zula's at 457-0228, Pepe Caldo Pizzeria at 765-6010 or St. George's at 773-4715.