In order for the St. Francis House to serve more than 130 meals on Thanksgiving they would have to submit a request to amend that limit. City of Gainesville officials say that process wouldn't be completed by the November holiday so they're offering an alternative.

The city is offering to let St. Francis use the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose center at no cost. No limit has been placed on the number of meals that could be served at that location.

The St. Francis house must submit a written response no later than November 2. If they don't accept this offer the facility would be made available to other charities for the Thanksgiving holiday.

St. Francis executive director Kent Vann said he called for an emergency meeting with the charity's board to discuss the issue.

"Right after the new year our plan is to petition it and to make an amendment, to get that amendment approved to where we won't have to worry about the holidays any longer on this," said Vann.

City spokesperson Bob Woods said that if the St. Francis House were to submit an amendment request soon, a change on the meal limit could possibly be reached in time for Christmas.