Garner restaurant offers food, companionship for Thanksgiving

“Garner always made sure I had everything I needed. Now that I have the opportunity to give back, I want to make sure I do all I can do,” said owner Angie Mikus.

Mikus has closed for business every Thanksgiving since opening in 2011, but the doors to the restaurant remain wide open throughout the day to provide meals to those in need.

“It’s not just for homeless people. There are many people who are alone, by themselves, people who need to be around each other,” said Minkus.

For several hours, the people come for companionship and for turkey, ham, collards, and sweet potatoes, which are all free of charge. The cost of the free food adds up, but Minkus said that she doesn’t think about the expense.

“I don’t think about it. I’m just going to tell you I think God provides and I just do what I feel in my heart,” she said.

Gary King moved to the area from Texas seven months ago and had no family to spend Thanksgiving Day with until now.

“Seeing all these people here, it makes it home. Its home, I’m at home.

Volunteers like Zelphia Stroud said they get so much out of the experience of giving back.

“I get the bigger blessing by helping. I really do,” said Stroud.

“We just wanted to be a part of something a little bit bigger and just reach some more people this year,” said volunteer Jeremy Paltz.

In addition to serving meals, volunteers also delivered meals to local homes.