Metro Detroit restaurants offer free meals to those alone on Thanksgiving

‘I feel for those people,’ restaurant owner says

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Thanksgiving won’t be the same for most Americans. Many of us will be forced to celebrate and eat alone.

Knowing that, some Metro Detroit restaurants came up with a solution.

“I’m an emotional guy, I feel for those people,” said Joe Ciamillo.

Joe Ciamillo and his sister, Ashley Ciamillo, own Joe’s Italian Take-Out on 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township.

“Especially older people who really look forward to being with their family,” Joe Ciamillo said. “We usually get together with our family for Thanksgiving.”

Anyone who has to celebrate Thanksgiving alone due to COVID-19 can get a free meal from Joe’s Italian Take-Out.

They’ve taken 45 orders and are anticipating there will be more.

Sports Venue Bar and Grill on Middlebelt Road in Garden City are working to feed nearly an entire senior apartment building. Owner Laurie Viviano said every staff member has volunteered to help make 700 meals for the nearby seniors.

MORE: Community News


About the Authors

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

Recommended Videos