Barnegat parish offers Christmas Day dinner to less fortunate
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The community of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, is once again offering a meal on Christmas Day to provide the less fortunate the chance to properly celebrate the occasion.
The tradition has continued for more than five years, growing from the efforts of a few parishioners to offer and deliver meals to those in need, to a large-scale communal dinner shared in the parish center on Christmas Day.
This year’s event will run from noon until 3 p.m., in the parish center at 100 Bishop Way.
Michael Rua, Jr., who helps to coordinate the event, said that this year’s crowd is expected to be close to 200 guests, who will be joined by some 50 volunteers willing to take time away from their families on Christmas to lend a hand.
The program will include a formal dinner as well as opportunities to win prizes. Volunteers will also be distributing donations received over the course of the past few months. Last year’s donations included hats, gloves, clothing and non-perishable goods.
Rua said that the parish has received an outpouring of donations for this year’s event.
Those interested in attending the dinner should contact Mike or Gail Rua at 609-978-6508 to make arrangements. Transportation is available to assist those not able to make it to the parish on their own.
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The community of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, is once again offering a meal on Christmas Day to provide the less fortunate the chance to properly celebrate the occasion.
The tradition has continued for more than five years, growing from the efforts of a few parishioners to offer and deliver meals to those in need, to a large-scale communal dinner shared in the parish center on Christmas Day.
This year’s event will run from noon until 3 p.m., in the parish center at 100 Bishop Way.
Michael Rua, Jr., who helps to coordinate the event, said that this year’s crowd is expected to be close to 200 guests, who will be joined by some 50 volunteers willing to take time away from their families on Christmas to lend a hand.
The program will include a formal dinner as well as opportunities to win prizes. Volunteers will also be distributing donations received over the course of the past few months. Last year’s donations included hats, gloves, clothing and non-perishable goods.
Rua said that the parish has received an outpouring of donations for this year’s event.
Those interested in attending the dinner should contact Mike or Gail Rua at 609-978-6508 to make arrangements. Transportation is available to assist those not able to make it to the parish on their own.
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