Volunteer group makes sure no one is alone on Christmas

December 25, 2019 7:52 pm

By: Ellie Romano

Email: ERomano@ABC6.com

Twitter: @ERomanoABC6

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A group of volunteers in East Providence is making sure no one spends Christmas alone.

For the past four years, the group East Providence Christmas Community has been hosting a dinner for all at the Brightridge Club.

“We open our doors and become one big family,” said organizer Stephen Costa.

Costa helped start the group when he saw how many homeless people there were in the area.

“We just decided one day we’re going to try to help feed the homeless,” said Costa.

In the first year, they fed 85 people. Last year they fed more than 500 people. A similar turnout is expected today.

Attendees don’t have to be homeless. Many come to be around others.

“There are very nice people here and good food,” said attendee Ronald Reeves.

Reeves has been coming to the dinner since it was founded. He comes to meet new people.

“There are a lot of people who need places to go where they can be with other people,” said Reeves.

Attendees can also take home toys, hygiene products, and clothing for free.

“We try to give them what we can as far as clothing because we know it’s very cold out in the wintertime,” said Costa.

Everything in the Brightridge Club was donated by organizations like Dunkin Donuts, Cardi’s Furniture, Toys for Tots, and others.

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