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Quad Cities' 'Mr. Thanksgiving' hosts 53rd year of free community dinners

Last year, Bob Vogelbaugh and his team handed out approximately 2,500 meals for the holiday.

MOLINE, Ill. — For the 53rd year in a row, Quad Cities staple "Mr. Thanksgiving" hosted his annual community dinner at South Park Mall. 

Bob Vogelbaugh, the man behind the mission, hosted the annual meal giveaway at SouthPark Mall in Moline on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

News 8's Cesar Sanchez was at Thursday's event, which organizers called a success after running out of food. 

"People really don't understand the feeling inside that I have for people," Vogelbaugh said. "God didn't give me much of a brain. He didn't give me looks, but I know what he gave me is people skills and I feed off these people on Thanksgiving Day. It's the best meal I could ever have."

Vogelbaugh teamed up again with Hy-Vee to help raise money for all of the holiday meals. Mr. Thanksgiving turkeys were available to purchase and proceeds went toward covering the cost of the meal.

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