Restaurant owner in New Jersey serves up kindness on Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 28, 2019
HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- A restaurant owner in New Jersey spent his Thanksgiving not serving up his classic pizza, but a free Thanksgiving meal to anyone who wanted one.

"I'm a better pizza cook than I am a turkey man but they both come out pretty well," said Mario Albunia, owner of Mario's Classic Pizza in Hoboken.
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He first opened up his pizzeria for a free Thanksgiving meal in 1999. Back then he cooked one turkey. Now, 20 years later, he cooked 25 turkeys on Thursday alone.

"This is a way I can give back a little bit and it makes me feel great so my family and I appreciate it so much," said Albunia.

Local resident Don Mesler has come to eat every year since it started. "I wouldn't know where else to go," said Mesler.
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Others who are homeless have come every year as well.

It has been a family tradition they hope will continue for years to come.



The family served more than 300 meals on Thursday and hand delivered meals to people who couldn't leave their homes.

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