‘Your children don’t need to know’ – popular Central Ohio Italian restaurant offers free hot meal to families while dining in

Order the “family-style” pasta at most restaurants, and you’re probably talking about a $50+ dish. 

But at Bucci’s, it’s completely free.

The from-scratch Italian restaurant, located in Marion, OH at 320 W. Center St., is helping the community out by offering a free hot meal, with “no questions, no judgement, just good food made by good people that love you.”

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Here’s how it works: stop in, get seated like everyone else, and tell your server you’d like the “family-style pasta.” After your meal is delivered, your check will come, but it will be $0. 

“No expectation of a tip, no awkwardness. Your children don’t need to know,” said Bucci’s on their Facebook post.

The meal will be spaghetti, and it’s offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 2:30-4:30PM.

“We don’t know how long this train wreck will last, but we’re committed to doing this at least through the end of the year (or until things get resolved),” said Bucci’s.

As most know, 40 million Americans are projected to lose their food assistance, starting tomorrow, as a result of the government shutdown. Many restaurants and food banks are stepping up to help.

If you’d like to help Bucci’s cover the cost of this, they created a business Venmo account (@buccis), and donated money helps cover meals or helps cover tips for the servers.

Bucci’s said, “We love this community, and we’re thankful to be in a position to do something small that might make things a little easier for someone else. We can’t get through this without each other. Love you all.”

For residents worried about food access if SNAP benefits lapse, local resources are ready. Mid-Ohio Food Collective (mofc.org) operates several free grocery “Markets,” including locations on Norton Road (614-782-5514) and Gantz Road (614-317-9487). Additional community pantries and distribution events can be found through the organization’s “Find Food” tool online.

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