Norcross launches free food giveaway -- and the food goes quick

NORCROSS, Ga. — The Global Mall in Norcross hosted a free food giveaway Wednesday afternoon, and it was overrun by people needing a hot meal.

Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Tony Thomas talked to organizers, who said they are already thinking about expanding.

The event was supposed to start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, but organizers said people were lining up at 10 a.m. At times, the line wrapped around the building and backed up traffic on Jimmy Carter Boulevard.

One man told Thomas that a plate of food was exactly what he needed right now.

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"I think it shows the spirit that exists in this country," Baham Motlagh said.

As Motlagh waited in line for his free meal, he described the last few weeks as hard. He could tell from the turnout at the Global Mall that he is not alone.

"I'm a disabled individual. It's been really hard for us, because all I have is about $00 and no ability to do anything," Motlagh said.

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The Ashiana restaurant and owners of the Global Mall teamed up for the food giveaway. They hatched the idea less than a week ago, but Wednesday began the operation using Ricky Walia's restaurant employees and volunteers, including Norcross Mayor Craig Newton to hand out the meals.

Walia owns Ashiana and said his business has taken a hit.

"It's impacted us all over the board," Walia said. "We've had to lay off most of our staff. But I look at it as a blessing. We are bless that we are able to setup and help people that are in need right now."

Organizers said they knew there was a demand in the area, given the amount of laid-off workers and extended stay hotels along Jimmy Carter Boulevard. But they didn't expect such a big turnout.

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They rushed to make more food when they ran out of meals even before the time they set for the event to begin.

"If there are other restaurants wanting to participate, we can open it up to a five-day or seven-day-week thing," Vandana Aggarwal, one of the organizers, said.

The food giveaway is set for the next three weeks at least on Wednesdays, Friday and Sundays. Today was Indian food, but other cuisines will be rotated in.

“The fundamental issue here is compassion and care,” Motlagh said.

High school football team gets help from food pantry they donate to The pantry is now helping some of the team's own players.

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