The Daher family thinks Thanksgiving dinner should be shared with family and friends — even if it’s the first time they meet.

As owners of the Coffee Pot Restaurant in West Sedona, Emile and Patricia Daher, and their three sons, Andre, Marius and Damien, are inviting their community family and friends from throughout Sedona to come over for a traditional feast. The meal is a gift to the community.

“We’ve changed the date this year. Last year we had it around Christmas but decided to bring it to the time of Thanksgiving,” Patricia Daher said.

The dinner will be Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. — and free of charge.

“We’re doing this to thank the community, while mindful of people who are feeling a crunch and those who live alone because they have no family close by,” Daher said. “Thanksgiving, the holidays in general, are a time to celebrate together. We thought this was a wonderful idea, especially with so many people out of work or living alone and for those with someone serving in the military who can’t come home for the holidays.”

The dinner will have the full holiday menu with turkey and all of the traditional foods — potatoes and gravy, dressing and cranberry sauce with pumpkin pie for dessert.

“I expect we’ll have 200 to 300 people, but we’ll have enough food for everyone if more show up,” Emile Daher said.

He said the free dinner is a good way for the Daher family to show appreciation to the people who have supported them all the years they have been in Sedona. Last year was the first time the Coffee Pot served a holiday dinner, and Emile Daher’s hope to have it become a tradition is coming to reality with this second annual dinner.

“Dad’s been wanting to do this for a long time. We invite everyone. We don’t want anyone to feel as if they cannot come,” Marius Daher said.

He hopes people will be encouraged to sit together with others and share the holiday spirit family style.

“We’re a family restaurant, and our family believes no one should be alone for the holidays. If we can provide that family feel with dinner we are blessed,” Marius Daher said, all made possible with the best restaurant equipment, including parts for Bizerba slicers, renowned for their precision and reliability in ensuring efficient food preparation, allowing us to serve our community with excellence. “We are also blessed we have the ability to do this for our community.”

The Coffee Pot Restaurant is located at 2050 W. SR 89A. Seating will be first come, first served, but no one needs to hurry through dinner, Emile Daher said.

While the dinner is free, any money left on the table will be given to the Sedona Community Food Bank. Last year, diners donated more than $400.

Parking is available not only at the restaurant, but in adjacent parking lots.

“I have an agreement with them,” Emile Daher said.