LYNN — Each person who tucked into a free Thanksgiving meal at Brothers Deli on Thursday chose to spend their holiday there for a different reason.
But the common denominator for most of the patrons was that they did not have anywhere else to go. The need is no secret to owner George Markos, who has opened his doors on Thanksgiving morning for the past 26 years to serve free turkey dinners to anyone who comes by.
“George makes it possible,” said Cathi Campbell, a Somerville District Court judge who served as a volunteer. “He is just a living saint in the community. It’s unbelievable.”
Throughout the years, Markos said he has served nearly 50,000 meals, which included another 1,050 on Thursday. In addition, Markos distributed several hundred turkey dinners to elderly people and local groups last week, which bumped this year’s total to about 1,500 meals served.
Although the event’s operation appeared seamless, Markos said it was because meal preparation started early Wednesday morning. Between the two days, dozens of volunteers cooked and served 2,700 pounds of turkey, and 1,000 pounds each of carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Markos had always wanted to provide free meals for people who may not have somewhere to go on Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t until his father died that he was inspired to start the tradition.
On Thursday, it was impossible to have a conversation with Markos without being interrupted by patrons who would stop by to thank him for giving them a chance to enjoy their Thanksgiving, but he said the event was a way for him to express his gratitude to them as well.
“I promised the people I would be there for them and if it wasn’t for the people, I wouldn’t be able to do anything,” said Markos. “I wouldn’t be able to start a business. They gave me everything and I give back every year.”
Two of those people who stopped to thank Markos were Peter Francesi and Elodie Kayulu. The married couple has lived in the Lynn Emergency Shelter for the past three months and a peaceful meal is hard to come by these days, Kayulu said.
“We just wanted to thank him,” said Kayulu, 44. “Not many people (will) do this for other people. He really put his heart out for feeding the homeless. We don’t have a family. This is like family right now.”
All of the food was “on point” and thoroughly cooked, said Francesi, 31.
“I appreciate them for opening their doors to us,” he said. “It’s a blessing.”
Ann Marie Murray, 49, became homeless after domestic violence was committed against her. She has been living in the emergency shelter since August. Like her friends, Kayulu and Francesi, she has not been able to find housing.
“I thought this was awesome,” Murray said. “I was so excited because I used to cook for Thanksgiving dinner and I was really depressed knowing I wouldn’t be having Thanksgiving dinner.”
Michael Perry, 55, said the event was a great way to help the homeless people. He enjoyed the meal because it allowed him to socialize with others.
Elaine, a Lynn resident who asked to only be identified by her first name, said she lost her family to a murder and usually spends Thanksgiving alone. When she ate a turkey dinner at Brothers on Thursday, it was the first time she had celebrated the holiday in years.
“I appreciate the effort that went into it,” she said. “Say you have nobody in your family — you come here and even though you’re eating alone, you’re around all of this activity.”
