Hundreds of helping hands are helping to feed thousands of people in need in Lackawanna County this holiday season.
SCRANTON, Pa. — The hustle and bustle inside the Masonic Temple in Scranton means thousands are getting fed this holiday season.
“It’s always a good feeling to get back to the community, especially this time of year during the holidays. I mean, you can see the look on people’s faces out there, how happy they are that we do this for them,” said Nathan Cron, volunteer.
Hundreds of volunteers help make the Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center Christmas food giveaway possible.
This year, organizer Linda Robeson says they look to feed 4,000 families. “This morning, setting up the tables and trying to get the food prepared. We thought we were going to have to start serving a little bit later at 9 o’clock, but we started at 7:45 a.m,” she said.
Robeson says that with more families battling food insecurity, the need has continued to grow. That’s why she says this annual giveaway is so special. “Each family is going to get a ham and potatoes, apples, carrots, bread, macaroni and cheese, and one or two other things, you know, hopefully enough that will allow them to at least get two meals out of this.”
As volunteers worked inside, “I’m seeing teamwork and a lot of hard work going into the Christmas dinners,” said Annabella Samuel.
Outside along North Washington Avenue, tables stacked high with meals. One by one, each bag made its way into people’s cars.
And for many, this act of kindness will help make the upcoming holiday a little bit easier.
“You’re just trying to ease some of the burden at Christmas because, you know, there’s Christmas gifts and there are things that people want to do for their family. And if we can help them by, you know, making their meal a little bit easier, then it’s a great gift,” said Robeson.