Hundreds of people were greeted with warm smiles and hot food as they walked in to the Queen City Restaurant in Reading.
"The idea is not just giving people food. The idea is to make these people feel special like everybody else," said Elsayed Elmarzouky, the owner of the Queen City Restaurant.
The restaurant hosted its sixth annual "People First" event where volunteers served up hot thanksgiving style meals for the less fortunate. Raymond Pedraza attended with his wife and their seven children.
"The food is great, the environment is great," said Raymond Pedraza of Reading.
People came in all day by the bus load and the owner said they served more than a thousand people, many of whom said they are grateful for the meal.
"It is good for families to get together, do something you do not normally do. And it is heartwarming to see generosity done this way," said Pedraza.
In addition to the hot meal, families were treated to warm clothing such as hats, scarves and gloves as well as a book for children.
The "People First" event also offered free flu shots and hepatitis screenings.
"We need moments like this to make people stop and think of the blessings and the charity that still exist in such a world when so many things are going on," said Pedraza.
The owner said he started it in a time where the country was going through a recession, but decided to continue the tradition to serve the people of Berks County.
"It is a blessing for myself to be able to think of other people than myself. And also it is a lesson for my children to see how we should really step up to the plate and try to think of other people," said Elmarzouky.
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