Little Falls pizzeria serves Christmas meal for all

A Little Falls man plans to feed 500 people pizza and soup on Christmas Day.

Charlie Peterka, owner of Charlie's Pizza in Little Falls, said his family had enough presents in their lifetime. So about two years ago he, his parents and seven siblings pooled their gift money into the event. Wednesday's celebration will feature about 150 gifts for children, Santa and Christmas music.

"People genuinely are lonely on Christmas Day," he said. "Sometimes they're hungry, sometimes there's nothing to do."

The joyful event had a tragic beginning. About six years ago, Charlie Peterka's daughter, Donna, died of suicide at age 19.

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Peterka said though Donna struggled with depression, she "just gave, and gave and gave." She would take her tips as a waitress and donate them to the Humane Society or a senior center.

"In her honor, we're opening up the doors, and whoever is hungry or lonely or sad or happy or breathing, come on in. Let's have a real nice day," Peterka said.

Last year, 400 people attended.

Peterka said he doesn't dwell on the challenge of feeding hundreds of people. The community donated money and he has plenty of volunteers.

"A part of me would like to pat myself on the back, but part of me goes, 'Golly, why couldn't we do this more often?' I would like to just do it all the time," Peterka said.

He emphasized that the event is not just for the people who don't have enough to eat, but also for people who want to feel a sense of community on Christmas.

He recalls the school superintendent and his family leaving last year with tears in their eyes.

"When somebody looks at you and says, 'This is by far the best Christmas I ever had,' and we had a teeny bit of a part in that, it's more than anybody could ever want," Peterka said. "It makes me emotional."

The restaurant feels like a Christmas Mass on that day, he said.

"It's a spiritual, wonderful little entity that's buzzing around in there. I can almost feel the spirit of my kiddo there. I can feel the spirit of all the goodness in the world. And it's just right."

People can drop by the Little Falls restaurant between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for homemade soup, pizza, ice cream and hugs from Santa.