Community Corner

Bob's Offers a Free Thanksgiving Meal, Companionship to Those Facing Hard Times

The tradition is going on its fifth year.

Editor's note: The Huffington Post has chosen Thomas Sprague as its "Greatest Person of the Day" — an honor recognizing people who make a difference.

Feeding others is second nature to  owner Thomas Sprague.

For nearly two decades, he has spent a good portion of his days at the grill. He serves customers, sitting in booths or at the counter, who often come back to the eatery for great food and good company. 

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Thomas is the latest in three generations of men who have made Bob's Diner a Main Street staple. Locals have been eating there for more than 50 years, ever since Bob Sprague, Thomas' grandfather, opened up shop.   

The sense of community the Sprague men have cultivated since the diner's inception is still around today, and the regulars who take up residence at the counter Saturday and Sunday mornings will vouch that much is true.

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But perhaps one of the biggest signs of the sense of community that lives at Bob's is Thanksgiving. Instead of throwing a few autumn-themed items on the menu and calling it a day, Thomas enlists the help of his mother, brothers and sisters to host a traditional dinner, with one twist — it's free.

"Tommy carries on for another generation of Spragues to leave their mark on Brewster, Southeast and Putnam County," Village of Brewster and Putnam County Historian Denis Castelli said. "He's always used the diner to celebrate the holidays, , Halloween and even the change of seasons, but what stands out among many generous community actions is the free Thanksgiving dinner he offers to all comers, no questions asked."

Folks sit down anytime between 3 and 9 p.m. for a buffet-style meal. Thomas provides turkey, ham and many of the main dishes, while food donations from community members make up the rest of the items.

The tradition started when the Spragues were discussing the possibility of heading down to New York City and volunteering at a soup kitchen some years ago. Instead, they decided to give back at the local level, and open up the diner to folks who are in need of either a hot meal or companionship on the holiday. If people can afford to make a donation, Sprague takes the money and turns it over to charity.

"It's a lot of fun, and it's nice to know that you can help other people," Thomas said of the spread, which includes everything from turkey to mashed potatoes and soup to dessert. 

It's the fifth year the Spragues are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their place. Last month, Thomas was still unsure whether he'd go through with the tradition this year, but after mulling it over, he thought: "What else am I going to do?"

"I don't want it to stop," he said. "I feel like if I stop now, people might not know to come in future years."

More than 50 people have shown up at past dinners, but Thomas is unsure what this year's turnout will look like.

"Anyone from anywhere can come to the diner on Thanksgiving Day and dine on turkey, stuffing, sauces and desserts with no more expected from them but a thank you," Castelli said. "... The fact that Thomas does it year after year, but it's not the same people [who attend] year after year, shows that it is a truly generous thing he’s doing."

His brother, Robert Sprague, pitches in when it comes to serving dinner. He's hoping to see more folks who are struggling this November take advantage of the free hot meal.

"I don't think we get enough people who really need it," he said. "I think people's egos play a big part in it ... having to go out and feel like they have to ask, but they don't have to ask, because it's free."

The annual tradition is no doubt one that would have made Thomas' predecessors proud: Castelli called Thomas' uncle Jimmy Sprague, who took over the business before passing it along to his nephew, an "unforgettable character" whose "heart of gold" made him "generous to a fault." He referred to Bob, the original owner, as a "man of the community with the ethics and character of 'The Greatest Generation.'"  

Thomas himself remembers his grandfather in a similar light. He recalled how he was always feeding people — sometimes setting a guaranteed price for regulars, no matter what they ordered.

"He fed everybody," Thomas said. "... I didn't get to hear many stories from Gramps, but locals talk, and a memory usually has Bob's in it somewhere."

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