Area residents in need of a free meal are invited to Korey's Krispy Krunchy Chicken, 124 Pearl St. in Ypsilanti, from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday.

"The main intent is to help some local people out and provide a free meal to some people who really are deserving of it," said restaurant owner Corey Barden.

Barden said he participated in the event last year and was amazed by the outcome.

"It was just a great thing," he said.

Leonardo Christian of Ypsilanti organized the event and raised money to buy enough food to feed 1,500 people on Thursday. He said he expects people will line up early.

He said the "over-the-top Christmas meal" will include chicken, turkey, ribs, mashed potatoes, desserts made from scratch and more.

He said he has been organizing free holiday meals for 30 years in Lansing and Ypsilanti.

"Somebody always needs to know there's somebody out there who cares," Christian said. "They can come, get something to eat. No one's thinking they're better than anybody."

Christian said buses will be available to pick people up from senior centers and shelters in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and take them to the restaurant. The buses are being provided by Ypsilanti's Metropolitan Memorial Full Gospel Baptist Church.

• Call (734) 276-4832 to request a bus — must have a group of at least five people for the bus to make a stop.

When asked why he hosts annual free dinners, Christian said, "Because people need help."

He said he wants people to have a nice meal the week of Christmas "without taking away from their pockets."

Christian said he is in need of more volunteers to help serve food Thursday. Anyone interested in volunteering should call him tonight at (734) 484-0609.