Free Pizza On Christmas Day At Little Falls Restaurant
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - It's hard to find anywhere that's open on Christmas Day.
But there's one restaurant in Little Falls that's open and giving out free food.
Charlie's Pizza has been open since 1980.
For the last four years, it's been open on Christmas--serving pizza and dessert and giving away free toys.
With help from his family and friends, Charlie Peterka decided four years ago that his family time on Christmas would be shared with everyone.
"We would do it every day if we could," Peterka said.
"There're not very many places that are open, especially for low-income families that can't afford stuff like that," a customer said.
The free pizza drew many people in, but the feeling kept them coming back.
"Everybody was very cheerful," Carren Miller said. "People who didn't know each other were talking. I've never seen anything like it before."
Through the years, word spread around Little Falls, and the generosity was contagious.
"We thought we should have presents because, duh, it's Christmas," said Peterka.
This year $1,000 dollars in gifts are going home with kids, handed out with Santa's help.
"Everybody here would give something if they could, and I think that the world needs more of that." Peterka said.
The looks on the children's faces are priceless for Peterka and his daughter, Bailey. He lost his other daughter, Donna, about six years ago.
It's Donna who inspired him to start opening up his doors on Christmas.
"She was a giver, all she did was give and give and give, and she gave till it hurt," he said. "She was waitress. She gave away pancakes and gave away tips."
By the end of the day, about 500 people ate a Christmas meal in her honor.
"We feel her all the time," he said. "We know where she is."
The Peterkas said they plan to keep the tradition going year after year.
