CINCINNATI -- To help fill the holiday need, dozens of volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul handed out meals this holiday season.
Organizers expected to see close to 1,000 people at the distribution event Tuesday.
Students and teachers from St. Xavier High School, as well as volunteers St. Rose Church and St. Peter in Chains Cathedral will help out with the event. Smithfield Meats also donated hams and food to help make the event happen.
Volunteers expected to distribute more than 1,400 meal baskets to struggling Tri-State families this year.
"It is heartbreaking to know that this meal means so much to people that they're willing to stand in line for that. It's not a surprise to us. Here at St. Vincent de Paul we've been seeing that throughout the year. Our food pantry has been busier than ever. We've been giving out more food than we've been bringing in,” St. Vincent de Paul Community Relations Director Kristen Klein said.
She said the volume of people at their center and other charities highlights the hunger problem in the Tri-State, but she is hopeful that one day those numbers will change.
Anyone in need can come to the St. Vincent de Paul location at 1125 Bank St. Patrons will need a photo ID and there is a one-bag limit per family.
The distribution began at 9 a.m. and will lasted until all the meals are given out.
Anyone who would like to donate to help the cause can do so at SVDPCincinnati.org or donate at your local Kroger store.
