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'Food is the voice of love': Some Louisville restaurants offer 'pay-it-forward' meals ahead of holidays

The PRP neighborhood's seen a recent influx of generosity leading to free hot meals.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At Gorilla Bob's in Louisville's south end, you can pay for a meal and leave its ticket on the fridge for someone else. 

Owner Bob Raymer described the area as a "giving, loving community" as he prepared reubens and cheesesteaks for the Wednesday lunch crowd. 

"Food is the voice of love," he said.

It's how he showed love to a friend he lost last year, Michael Basham, who died in a hit-and-run close to the restaurant. His memory's preserved with a memorial on the wall and a photo next to the rows of free meals. 

"Wasn't no way he was eating this food," Raymer said. "He was working for me to get other homeless people food and take it to 'em. Nobody knows that."

Credit: Ian Hardwitt, WHAS
Bob Raymer working in his restaurant during the lunch rush.

Raymer credited a delivery driver at nearby China Dragon for the idea. Mark Tuchschere and his wife made the signs for each restaurant. It's proof it's never too late to start giving.

"About a year ago somebody came in here and asked me if I could give him some food and I turned him away," Tuchschere said. "And I felt really bad about that ever since. And this just kinda clicked for me."

The south end spirit of giving continued at Christi's Cafe, an ultra-pink Dixie Highway staple. Their system is slightly different. Generous folks can come in and put money on a gift card. That card acts as a tab for anyone who needs a hot meal. 

"We're calling it the giving tree," owner Christ Druin said.

Credit: Ian Hardwitt, WHAS
Free meal tickets posted at China Dragon.

With 17 years in business, putting food on tables, Druin has seen the generosity of her customers and says giving back is nothing new at her cafe. 

"God's blessed me, and I try to always give back," she said. "And I do believe that giving back to your community, your family, your friends, it always comes back to benefit you in the end."

She and the other businesses intend to continue giving well beyond the holidays so they can fill the year-round need.

Christi's Cafe has an event Dec 9, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., to collect perishable food items for Southend Street Angels and Exodus Ministries. 

Credit: Ian Hardwitt, WHAS

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