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Article updated: 11/23/2012 10:57 AM

Elgin's In the Neighborhood Deli owner gives back

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In The Neighborhood Deli has become a gathering place for many people to enjoy good food and good company. "What makes this place special is that it is a place where people can go see people they know and share a great sandwich. Itīs like a big family dinner in here," owner Jeff Turner says with a smile.

BRIAN HILL | Staff Photographer

Jeff Turner opened his deli in April of 2008, fulfilling a dream many chefs have of owning their own restaurant.

BRIAN HILL | Staff Photographer

Jeff Turner of In The Neighborhood Deli & Cafe organizes just a few of the desserts for Elgin's Thanksgiving Community Dinner at the Hemmens Cultural Center. Turner gets help from 200 volunteers to staff the event each Thanksgiving.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Jeff walks his children Katie, left, and Alec to school in Elgin. Turner says that by being his own boss, he still works 80 hours a week but he gets to choose which hours those are. "I donītī miss my sonīs football games, my daughters softball games."

BRIAN HILL | Staff Photographer

Volunteer Angela Kibbe of Elgin greets Thanksgiving dinner organizer and chef Jeff Turner of In the Neighborhood Deli while serving desserts at the Hemmens Cultural Center during a free community meal.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Jeff Turner of ITN Deli in Elgin takes an order for a Hemmens, a sandwich he says is one of his most popular.

BRIAN HILL | Staff Photographer

Turner wraps up one of his specialty sandwiches.

BRIAN HILL | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Elgin Deli owner Jeff Turner started by making great sandwiches and treating his customers well. But when the recession hit the Fox Valley area, he began to focus more on giving back. He and his employees now host several free community meals throughout the year for those who are less fortunate. "All I really do is orchestrate things," Turner says, "it is the community that gives the money, it's the community that volunteers, it is the community that brings the desert."
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    • In The Neighborhood Deli has become a gathering place for many people to enjoy good food and good company. “What makes this place special is that it is a place where people can go see people they know and share a great sandwich. Itīs like a big family dinner in here,” owner Jeff Turner says with a smile.
    • Jeff Turner opened his deli in April of 2008, fulfilling a dream many chefs have of owning their own restaurant.
    • Jeff Turner of In The Neighborhood Deli & Cafe organizes just a few of the desserts for Elgin’s Thanksgiving Community Dinner at the Hemmens Cultural Center. Turner gets help from 200 volunteers to staff the event each Thanksgiving.
    • Jeff walks his children Katie, left, and Alec to school in Elgin. Turner says that by being his own boss, he still works 80 hours a week but he gets to choose which hours those are. “I donītī miss my sonīs football games, my daughters softball games.”
    • Volunteer Angela Kibbe of Elgin greets Thanksgiving dinner organizer and chef Jeff Turner of In the Neighborhood Deli while serving desserts at the Hemmens Cultural Center during a free community meal.
    • Jeff Turner of ITN Deli in Elgin takes an order for a Hemmens, a sandwich he says is one of his most popular.
    • Turner wraps up one of his specialty sandwiches.
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