Cardinale Way giving away 400 dinners in South Lake Tahoe

"We want to take care of everyone that needs it," said Cardinale Way General Manager Joe Caracciolo when asked what moved the South Lake Tahoe dealership to offer free Thanksgiving dinners for 400 people this Thursday.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Thanksgiving, people who need a meal can go to the American Legion parking lot and receive a fully cooked meal which will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and a roll.

Caracciolo came up with the idea and contacted radio station KRLT to help him find a venue and kitchen. They found Rosey and Jeff Cowan, owners of Blue Angel Cafe, willing to donate the use of their kitchen to cook and prepare the meals. The meals will then be taken to the parking lot of the American Legion where a tent will be set up. Anyone can come get the turkey dinner, complete with plates and utensils.

The meals are packed up for taking home to eat as there will be no place for eating. It will be first come, first served and they'll had out the turkey dinners until all are gone.

KRLT will be having a live remote during the food giveaway.

Cardinale Way staff will be cooking, preparing and handing out the meals.

Caracciolo's children are flying in for the holiday and they'll be helping out as well. "It means a lot to me and I'd like to do more of this for the community throughout the year," he said.

The American Legion is located at 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe.