news-record.com

A Thomasville barbecue restaurant is offering free meals from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Jed's BBQ (709 National Highway) in Thomasville is offering a free meal to each person who walks in the door until there's nothing left.

Jed's owners Rodney and Wendy Martin started offering free meals on Tuesday nights three weeks ago. Realizing that times are tough all over, the Martins decided to give back to the community. They say their faith guided them in the decision to designate Tuesday night as Donation Night.

The number of diners has grown into the hundreds in the three weeks the Martins have been offering the Tuesday night meals. They rely on a team of volunteers coordinated by Lance Wright, a friend and manager for the gospel quartet Salvation Sound. The members of the quartet are among the volunteers.

Wright says the response has been staggering.

"We want people to know they are not alone. That people are special and someone cares. That God cares," says Wright.

The restaurant plans to continue the Tuesday night tradition until it is no longer possible.

Spaghetti is on the menu for tonight's Donation Night.