INDIANAPOLIS — Ron Gee has hosted Friendsgiving for the last three years. Each year, he teams up with restaurants in the city to provide free, hot meals for Thanksgiving. This year, Soul Food Shack not only provided the meal, but also the space for Gee.
"This is what it's all about, spreading love and spreading hugs," Gee said.
Gee is the owner of 1313 Eatery and Market. Just a few weeks ago, the restaurant was destroyed by a fire. When this happened, he initially thought he would have to cancel Friendsgiving, but after getting support from the community, he was able to hold the event at Soul Food Shack.
"That's where I got my strength from, that's why I'm here saying, 'I have nothing going on,'" he said. "This is what it's all about."
Gee has made it his mission to serve the community and bring awareness to violence in the city. He's behind Operation Cease Fire and The Village Project, where he teaches young people life skills. He uses the Friendsgiving events to not only share a meal, but to promote peace and unity.
With a rise in youth gun violence this year, this year's event was not only important to Gee, but also the friends who helped him put it on.
"I feel like this year the city needs a lot of love," Philecia Jones, owner of Soul Food Shack said.
After the event, Gee hopes the connections created continue out into the community and create meaningful conversations at the Thanksgiving table.
"Bring your family around and talk about gun violence," he said.
Jones told 13News any donations made at Friendsgiving will go to Ron and his restaurant.