Community of volunteers host free dinner for those alone on Christmas

East Providence, RI – What started with five local members of the community who wanted to do something kind for those in need, has become an annual event for those alone on Christmas.

The crew of East Providence elves have launched the East Providence Community Dinner, which is free to all in the community and beyond.

On Christmas Day, a team of volunteers serve a full, free turkey dinner with all of the fixings and dessert to those who do not wish to be alone on Christmas. There is also Christmas cookie decorating.

The event also boasts free toys thanks to Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses’ Toys for Tots program, as well as free clothes, hygiene products, and hats and gloves. In addition, an East Providence barber will be on hand to offer haircuts to boys and men.

“This is our fourth annual year,” said Lisa George, one of the fabulous five organizers. “We first started with 80 people and last year we served about 520.”

Don’t have a way to get there? That’s okay. Volunteers have organized pickups at all of the local public housing locations in East Providence including: Goldsmith, City View, Harbor View, Rumford Towers and Crossroads and Crossroads for Family and Children in Providence.
Pickups, which are every half hour, begin at noon and run until 4:30 p.m. The dinner runs from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and is being held at the Brightridge Club at 59 Brightridge Ave.

For those who cannot leave their home, organizers will deliver a meal.

Lisa George and organizers Stephen Costa, Tony Ferreira, Beverly LaFort and Izilda Fernandes are seeking volunteers to help set up TODAY from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brightridge and again on Christmas day from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For Transportation: Please call Lisa at 401-516-1313 or Izilda at 401-999- 0029 with any questions.

Donors and Contributors include:
Tahoe Jewelry
John Oliver
Lucy Stoddard
Charles Tsonos
Ray Pouilert
Mark Norton
Greg Amore
Nick Shattick
Stephanie Vinhateiro and family
JoEllen Hockenbrough
Joe Eugenio in Memory of his mom Alexandrea Eugenio
Auction Store
Shirley Conn
Taunton Ave Bakery
Lidia Alves
Brightridge Club
Dunking Donuts Pawtucket Ave in Riverside
Eddy Silva
Munroe Dairy
Riveria Restaurant
Davenport's Restaurant
Jessica Beauchaine
Little Bit of Everything in Pawtucket
Darlene Anctil
Paiva Agency
Steven Langford
United Steel Workers Local 14845
Little Red School House
Kim Nunes
City of East Providence
Cardis Furniture

The entire community for all the clothing, toiletries and toys that were donated