Downtown Restaurant Hands Out Free Turkeys

There may not be a free lunch, but there was a free turkey dinner in downtown Walnut Creek.

The 1515 Restaurant and Lounge held its 6th annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in front of its Main Street establishment on Tuesday morning.

The restaurant gave away a total of 1,000 turkeys. The bulk of them went to local non-profit organizations. However, there still more than 100 that were handed out to people who lined up in front of the restaurant for the 11 a.m. giveaway.

The money for the turkeys comes from the annual summer golf tournament sponsored by the restaurant. This year, the tourney raised about $60,000.

Most of the proceeds go to four local charities. This year, the organizations were Hospice of the East Bay, St. Jude’s Hospital, Lazarex Cancer Foundation and the Haiti Relief Fund.

The remainder of the funds were used to purchase the turkeys from Grocery Outlet.

John “Jack” Dudum, who co-owns 1515 Restaurant with his son Tony, said they organize the turkey donations because they believe in the old axiom that it’s better to give than receive.

“We do it because we’re blessed,” said Dudum. “If everybody gave a little, then the world would be a better place. Hopefully, others will see us doing this and then they’ll do it.”

Most of the people in line were certainly appreciative of the donations.

Danciu, a Romanian immigrant who lives in Lafayette, was first at the gate. He will use the 10-pound turkey he received for Thanksgiving dinner for the three people at his home.

“We can now cook and prepare the dinner ourselves,” he said.

TiCarolyn drove from Richmond to pick up her family’s turkey. The single mother of six children said the donation makes a big difference.

“It’s 100 percent helpful,” she said. “it’s a blessing.”

Randy moved to Walnut Creek from Oakland six months ago. He’s on a fixed income and said the free turkey will allow him to have a pleasant Thanksgiving.

He didn’t know about the giveaway. He just happened to walk by.

“Timing is everything,” he said.