Anaheim Mexican restaurant hosts Thanksgiving feast for 15,000

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- There is a lot of work that goes into feeding 15,000 people.

Preparations started at 6 a.m. Thursday as the staff of La Casa Garcia Mexican restaurant readied to feed at least that many at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

The restaurant has been hosting the feast for 31 years now.

When the tradition first started, they were feeding just a few thousand, but Thursday's crowd was expected to grow to as many as 17,000.

The event has expanded so much that it had to be moved from the parking lot of the restaurant in Anaheim to the Honda Center.

La Casa Garcia's foundation, "We Give Thanks," provides assistance with the huge feast and partners every year with sponsors who help make it all happen.

The restaurant's owner, Frank Garcia, who has owned La Casa Garcia for 35 years, said it's his way to give back to the community.

"I'm so happy because if everybody in the world will give a plate to your neighbor, there won't be (any) hungry," Garcia said.

"We have to learn and teach people that, don't just eat. Your neighbor may need a plate of food too."