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Ruby's Diner opens doors for free Thanksgiving meal

Ruby's Diner in Oliver Springs opened its doors on Thanksgiving, offering a free meal to anyone.

Ruby's Diner in Oliver Springs opened its doors to anyone who wanted a free Thanksgiving meal Thursday afternoon.

Owners Jo Ann and Clyde Young opened the restaurant 11 months ago. After they posted on Facebook that they would host a free Thanksgiving meal, people donated 11 turkeys, 80 pounds of potatoes and more for the event.

"You don't have to be poor, you don' t have to be rich, just friendly, come down and talk," Clyde Young said.

Ruby's Diner in Oliver Springs opened its doors Thursday for a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone who came by. 

People trickled in throughout the afternoon, getting heaping doses of turkey, mashed potatoes and more. Servers brought guests their food, and guests could stay as long as they liked.

When you ask the Youngs why they did this, the answer is simple.

"I feel there's a need," Clyde Young said. "I feel there's a real need that sometimes people don't have to be poor or anything else to be alone, and there's nothing worse than that on a holiday."

The Youngs didn't ask for volunteers - they just showed up.

"So many of us have everything that we need, everything that we want, but to be able to give back, that's the biggest thing," volunteer Victoria Blankenship said.

The Youngs named the restaurant Ruby's Diner after Clyde's mother, Ruby. The Youngs take care of her and opened the restaurant so they could spend more time with her and the community.

"We're just trying to help the best we can," Clyde Young said.

The Youngs are planning on doing something similar on or near Christmas.

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