CINCINNATI -- St. Vincent de Paul will provide over 1,000 Christmas meals to the community as a part of their annual holiday food distribution.
Families can pick up a meal at the St. Vincent de Paul Liz Carter Outreach Center starting at 10 a.m. Friday.
Larry Shields, director of Community Relations for St. Vincent de Paul, said they’ll hand out enough food for 8,000 servings.
"It is a heartwarming experience every year and every time that a St. Vincent de Paul can help out because they're giving up their own time to provide for our neighborhoods throughout our community, and it just goes to show how generous Cincinnati is both with their time, talent and treasure to help out,” Shields said.
Rene Kennedy has been volunteering with the organization for 14 years. He said the event is all about being kind and spreading happiness.
"I like to make people happy, smiling because I've seen downfalls,” Kennedy said. “I've seen this and that and I tell people, ‘You're gonna make it through.’”
Food drives at St. Xavier High School, St. Rose Church and St. Peter in Chains Cathedral helped make this year’s event possible.
A photo ID is required; each family can receive one meal.