The talk show host and cookbook author is offering people who live in Wilmington a free dinner Nov. 8 at the local convention center. The city in southwest Ohio has lost thousands of jobs due to the pullout of delivery company DHL Express.

A message to Wilmington on Ray's Web site says her show can't fix the economy but can do its part through Ray's area of expertise, food.

Ray won't be the first sympathetic celebrity to visit Wilmington. Jay Leno came to town in May to perform two free comedy shows.

Residents who want tickets to Ray's dinner must sign up online and will have to show ID proving they live in the Wilmington zip code.