PLYMOUTH, N.C. (WITN) - Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth held a free turkey and lunch giveaway Friday afternoon to help community members struggling ahead of the holidays.

Dozens of people lined up outside the hospital to receive relief, hospital staff say, as the town’s food pantry remains down and many residents continue to face economic hardships.

Hospital CEO Frank Avignone paid for all the food himself and said local businesses also donated gift cards for the event.

Avignone said Needs 2B Cleaned, The Wash House, Top Shelf Band, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and A Plus Heating and Air donated gift cards.

Wings-N-Thangs and Lemonade With A Glo were on hand, serving lunch paid for by the hospital.

“Nobody likes to go into the holidays on a negative note. A lot of people are

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