Single soldiers far from home or families waiting for their deployed soldiers to return can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner free of charge tomorrow from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Vann’s Bar and Grill’s future location inside the Econo Lodge (formerly Bulls & Beach), off Highway 84. Vann’s will remain in its current location behind Goody’s department store until Friday.
The restaurant has served area troops Thanksgiving dinner for the past three years, as a way of thanking them for their service.
“They give us the opportunity to do this, so it’s a little appreciation for them,” said Vann’s manager Kristie Bricker. “Last year, we had a lot of families and wives come out that missed their husbands. (The dinner) gave them a sense of home.”
Vann’s Thanksgiving menu includes turkey, ham, stuffing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato soufflé, green beans and “lots of desserts,” Bricker said.
Local residents donated money for Vann’s to purchase food for the dinner from U.S. Foods Corporation, the manager said. Vann’s staff and area high school students will volunteer to serve the food, she said.
“It’s considered community service. They get graduation credit for it,” Bricker said. “So we’re helping students, too.”
Shuttle service to the dinner is available to those that need it, she added.
For more information, call 369-8266.