Couple gives THANKS by hosting free meal - really cool story!!

[flygal]

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071122/NEWS01/711220306/1002

snip

CHOTEAU — By 2 p.m. Wednesday, the lunch crunch was over at the Elk's Country Grill, but the door didn't stop swinging as volunteers poured in looking for a way to help.

"We won't be here tomorrow, but we wanted to help out," Stan Rathman told restaurant owners Rose and Jesse Crawford as he handed them a check. "I think it's just wonderful what you're doing."


The Crawfords are attempting to start a new Thanksgiving tradition in Choteau — serving a free meal with all the fixings to anyone, whether they can't afford to cook a big meal, don't have a family to cook for or just can't cook.

Growing up, Jesse Crawford remembers his mother inviting travelers and friends into their home for Thanksgiving.
For years, he worked in Wyoming's oilfields, but dreamed about returning to Choteau to open a restaurant. Opening the doors to the community for a free Thanksgiving meal was just as much a part of that dream.

"It's our way of saying 'thank you' to the community," Rose Crawford said. "We're thankful to be back."

[Callalily]

1. What a heart warming story!

And rest assured, there are many similar stories all over the country today, as people give thanks and give back in their own special way.

[dsc]

2. A good friend of my dad used to do this

He died a couple of years ago but for about a dozen years he would do a thanksgiving dinner, he even delivered. My dad and I would help for a few hours that day. On edit, the guy was living with another guy so one of the most Christian men in town turned out to be a gay agnostic.

[LostinVA]

3. Thanks for posting -- wonderful Thanksgiving morning read!