By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent
More than 60 volunteers showed up today at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, serving a hot meal, warm smiles and a side of Christmas spirit.
“We have so many people that wanna come and help out on Christmas that we actually work in two hour shifts. So this way people will have the opportunity to participate and actually we’ll end up turning some folks away,” said Trenton Area Soup Kitchen Executive Director Dennis Micai.
They’ll serve about 400 christmas dinners. That’s less than a typical day, thanks to other organizations and extended families reaching out to meet the need.
“First of all there’s a huge need in this area number one and it’s not just in the city of Trenton. We have eight satellite sites that run around the entire Mercer County area including Princeton, which people I know are surprised to hear,” said Micai.
“It’s a way for me to show them how to give back starting at a very young age, hopefully it will carry through for the rest of their lives,”said volunteer Mary Meyers.
Volunteers are also handing out meals for people to take home as they leave.
“It’s always nice to give, didn’t really have any other plans today so figured I’d wake up early we’re gonna come back on New Years. Did some yesterday delivered some cookie platters down to the hospital in Plainsboro. So yeah, I like giving on the holidays,”said Sam Merkovitz.
“I’m sorting and bagging food,” said Dacir Gibson. On who’s idea it was to volunteer, Gibson said, “My mom.”
“I come here often just to help them out,” said Alvina Nyumh.
Task serves more than 3,000 meals a week, but if you talk to the volunteers and patrons here, and they’ll tell you the soup kitchen goes beyond the food.
“We do a gift distribution for families with children. So we give people toys and Christmas presents to try and make it a little bit of a brighter time of year,” said TASK manager of programs Jaime Parker.
This room was bursting with toys, now they have a new home and grateful owners.
“Christmas is a happy occasion for a lot of people but for many people who have to come to the soup kitchen on Christmas, its not the happiest day because they feel a little bit disengaged from their families and the community. So we go out of our way to try and help them brighten up the day,” said Micai.
For Yelali Bernal and her 7 month-old son, it gives her some relief knowing she can come here to celebrate the holiday.
“Yea It’s good, I appreciate they do that for the people,” said Bernal.
Which she says, is the best gift of all.