An Italian spread was the order of the day at an inner-city drop-in centre Christmas Eve.
Maryann Ross, 44, showed up at Rossbrook House with her daughter and two grandchildren in tow for the Sons and Daughters of Italy’s annual feast.
Rossbrook House, at 658 Ross Ave., is a 24-hour drop-in centre for youth and families in the inner-city.
Two years ago, she was “scared” to let her daughter, Lexie, who was seven at the time, go to Rossbrook House alone. Ross waited outside for half an hour, peeked through the windows to see Lexie, and occasionally called to check in.
It was the friendly staff that helped Ross ease into the community. “I’m happy and grateful, it’s a safe space for the kids to come,” she said.
She remembers Rossbrook House’s powwow event and how the staff dressed Lexie in traditional regalia. “I was in awe when I saw her,” she said.
Ross was “overwhelmed.” It is only recently that she and Lexie started learning about their Indigenous culture. They have both been involved in Rossbrook House for about two years.
“I’m grateful for what they’re doing for the community,” she said.
More than 250 people attended the event, and more than 30 volunteers helped dish out food and gifts.
There were long open tables, and an open door ready to feed more than 500 bellies. The food was donated by local stores and sponsors.
Rossbrook House, was decorated from the ceiling to the floor with colourful Christmas garlands, lights, and trees.
Mark Scaletta, a volunteer, has brought his two daughters to the event since they were six and eight years old. The oldest is now 19.
He hopes it teaches them gratitude.
“There’s other people that experience Christmas different than us,” he said. “You need to understand these are probably the decent meals and gifts these people get.”
“When you go home and think life is so bad, sometimes we want to give you a subtle reminder that (your) life is good,” said Scaletta.
Chairs clanked and screeched on the floor as people got out of their seat to line up in single file to eat pasta al forno, meatballs, turkey, ham and gravy, among other goodies. For dessert: red velvet cake and candy.
Carmine Zirino, 57, president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy, a charitable organization, said the event “tugs on your heart strings that you’ve contributed to helping the community.”
Zirino said when he sees his children open their presents, he gets emotional about the difference in his life and that of less fortunate people.
“When you put a smile on someone’s face, you did something right,” he said.
Families rushed in the second room where gift bags were available. Cheers of “thank you” and “Merry Christmas!” filled the room.
“They may not get a Christmas morning, this is their Christmas morning,” said Zirino.
He said he eventually wants to do this for the whole city, but for now, “even if we help a small fraction of society – so be it.”
Zirino’s seven-year-old son was in attendance. He said he hopes his son will continue to help the community.
He is not alone, many of the volunteers and staff brought their children to the event. All families left with a bag of gifts, food, and smiles.