SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. — In Scott County, a local restaurant set out to serve a thousand or more free Thanksgiving meals to hungry diners. The owner of RaeZack's Grill and Deli put on her annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Michelle King said one year after church, she decided she wanted to give out free hot Thanksgiving meals to her Scott County neighbors. Each year she continues the tradition the number of people she serves continues to grow.
Cars were lined up down Scott Highway.
RaeZack's gave out free Thanksgiving meals for the sixth year in a row. People were able to eat in or take their food to go.
Orick Duncan said he came with his fiancée's family to RaeZack's and this was his first holiday dinner at the restaurant.
"It really is a blessing because our community. I mean it's a really great thing because not everybody here has all the resources to have a Thanksgiving dinner and they provide it for you. So it's a really good thing," said Duncan.
Another person who was there for the first time said she came with two others, otherwise, they were all going to be alone for the holiday.
She said she's thankful for all the people at RaeZack's who prepared and served meals.
"They're such kind people and if there was anything I could help Dan and his wife, I would have, but they were already bus already had the business taken care of," said Sharon Leverence.
She recommended other Scott County come out next year.
"You're missing a good meal and wonderful people," said Leverence.
The owner said she has no plans to stop these free Thanksgiving meals.
"Hopefully one day my daughter will take over and I get to help. But I'm gonna do it as long as I can," said King.
She said she's just as thankful to the community as they are to her.
"I just wanna thank the community. I just wanna thank the ones that even says thankful words and I'm just grateful... just very grateful," King said.