COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus restaurant closed its doors for several hours to serve the community. 

What You Need To Know

  • TownHall expected to serve 4,000 dinners 

  • This is the first time TownHall's taken their Feed the Need initiative to Columbus

  • Over the last couple of weeks, TownHall collected outerwear to distribute to those in need too

It was all a part of the TownHall restaurant’s Feed the Need event, where they served up thousands of turkey dinners.

Growing up, founder Bobby George admired that his uncle always shut down his family diner to serve thousands of meals. So when he got his own business, he decided to do the same, while using his influence.

So far, they've served over 30,000 meals to the community for the last eight years.

While it's mainly been in Northeast Ohio, this was the first time they hosted the Feed the Need event in Columbus.

“They touch us more than we touch them … and I know it sounds corny but this is the best experience I can give to my employees. What happens … they come into work more grateful. They’re happier,” said George, founder of TownHall & Rebol.

George and his employees aren't doing it alone.

Oftentimes, athletes come to serve for the day as a way to draw more awareness to the needs of the community.

This time around, players from Ohio State’s football team helped out.

"I definitely remember times when me and my family didn't have it all and we needed a little bit of help. It's really cool to have an opportunity to give back and have a platform to do it with,” said OSU quarterback CJ Stroud.

OSU defensive back Denzel Burke said: “Not everybody’s fortunate in this life and God created us all and I just feel like this is the perfect thing to do. I used to do this when I was younger with my mom every Sunday … go and feed the homeless. So it just brings back memories.” 

Over the last couple of weeks, TownHall also collected outerwear in connection with the Feed the Need event. Those items will be distributed at homeless shelters. 

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