Local Family Spends Holiday Volunteering - Back to Home

The holidays aren't joyous for everyone. Especially when you don't have a roof over your head or food in your stomach.

The holidays are a time most people spend with loved ones. But one family is spending it helping those in need.

Dick Pariset and his family celebrated Christmas with a few extra people this year. But they weren't at home. They were at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, preparing and serving a holiday meal to those who normally wouldn't have one.

"It makes you feel pretty good. These folks have a really nice meal, an abundance of food. I'm a farmer, so what would be better than helping people eat a nice meal," Pariset said.

Dick, his wife Jerry, and their daughter, son-in-law and grandson from Colorado spent Tuesday scooping steaming potatoes and ham for someone other than themselves. They say they feel lucky to have gotten the opportunity.

"Generally on Christmas day, they have a bunch of people who that's just their day to volunteer. They said 'man that would be wonderful, because we could be with our family for a change,'" Pariset said.

Volunteering runs in the family. Jerry Pariset helps out at Matt Talbot every week and 13-year-old Dominic isn't new to the organization either. It's the second time he's joined his grandparents there.

"It's something you can do for somebody else. Christmas is the perfect time to do that," Pariset said.

The Matt Talbot Kitchen made enough food to serve about 150 people. Surprisingly, they say the holidays aren't their busiest season.

Matt Talbot staff say they had so many volunteers they had to turn some away. They just hope the volunteering spirit lasts all year.

Source: http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/Family-Spends-Holiday-Volunteering-184761871.html

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