‘It’s about giving back’: Lincoln restaurant offers free Easter lunch for those in need

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant carried on its 40-year tradition Sunday by serving the community on Easter.

Hundreds of people gathered inside to enjoy free pizza, pasta and cupcakes.

Manager Joe Armstrong told Channel 8 he loves being able to give back to those around him.

“The guests themselves, they’re more than appreciative,” he said. “They love the fact that we’re opening our doors for them. Because it is about them, it’s about the community, it’s about the neighborhood, it’s about giving back to Lincoln. I think the people that get the most out of it is the volunteers that truly can give from their heart and be part of this tradition.”

Owners Kevin and Lynn Knudson and Eileen Dae-Alby said every year they see hundreds, if not thousands, of people come in for Easter lunch.

“I think the most we’ve served is around 1,100,” Dae-Alby said. “If we go back to the first two or three where we were serving out of South 48th, we probably served maybe 2-300. It’s grown from there.”

“I don’t believe it’s been less than 500 since we moved into this neighborhood,” Kevin Knudson said.

The tradition was started by Kevin’s older brother, who noticed that a lot of places offer free meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not so much on Easter.

It takes a huge effort to pull this event off as a success. They usually have around 60 volunteers. And some help in big ways.

“A young lady named Heather usually makes 4-500 cupcakes for us,” Armstrong said. “She hasn’t been well this last year so she actually went to Cupcakes and More and bought 500 cupcakes to donate for today. We have so many people, an outpouring, and well over 1000 cupcakes to give out and support this endeavor and that’s what people enjoy doing is being able to still be a part of it even if they’re not here today.”