SCRANTON -- Hundreds of people were out in the Electric City for a night of good food and a chance to fellowship.
The Friends of the Poor hosted another free community dinner in Scranton for those who may otherwise spend the holidays alone.
As festive music filled Saint Mary's Center, those dining here in Scranton were not only getting their fill of food--
“Full, I came in not full now I have a full stomach go home and relax now,” said Angela Barbini of Scranton.
But also their fill of companionship in this free community dinner.
“It's a blessing. It's beautiful here, yes, Sister Ann and everybody is wonderful. We come every year,” said Barbara Horrocks of Olyphant.
This was the annual Friends of the Poor holiday dinner, an event held so that those who otherwise would spend this special time alone can now share their meal with others.
“It's an important holiday. We celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas time and there are people who come to this dinner who don't have any other place to go around the holidays and they look forward to it so much to come and enjoy a dinner in the community together,” said Sr. Ann Walsh with Friends of the Poor.
“It's a nice gathering, you know what I mean. Everyone gets together for the holidays and they can share their experience. It's just a good event you know?” said Joseph Dweck from Wilkes-Barre.
More than 100 people dedicated their free time to help serve this dinner, but for those volunteers they say they're just grateful to be a part of something that's so important to so many.
Volunteers believe roughly 600 stuffed chicken dinners with all the trimmings came out of the kitchen and into the ballroom.
“The people that's hungry, you know that needs our help, we're here for them and to see people have fun for the holidays. A lot of people don't have anyone for the holidays. They come out and they mingle and they enjoy themselves,” said volunteer Wilhelmina Braswer.
This meal comes just two weeks after the friends of the poor served 1,200 people during its annual Thanksgiving dinner.
And just as at the Thanksgiving meal, many remembered the founder of this charitable event, Sister Adrian Barrett who passed away in October.
“It's different without Sister Adrian though, miss Sister Adrian,” said Barbini. “So we have to like, remember her too.”
