Balt. Police & Businesses Team Up To Provide Christmas Dinners
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's a dinner party of 300. Thanks to city police and businesses in Federal Hill, hundreds of families will have a special Christmas dinner this year.
Jessica Kartalija has more.
City police and firefighters are making spirits bright, getting into the holiday spirit by giving to others.
"We reach out to the community and try to do positive things," said Rosemary Ford.
Every year, the Southern District teams up with local businesses to provide Christmas dinners to families.
"We collect money from the neighborhoods---or canned goods---and then from businesses, we get other stuff like the turkeys," said Jack Baker, president of the Southern District Police Community and Relations Council.
"We donate about 300 turkeys and we help distribute them with the police to the needy folks of south Baltimore," said Brian McComas, Ryleigh's Oyster.
The Federal Hill Hospitality Association helps bridge the gap between local businesses, members of the community and police.
"In light of what's happening around the country right now, this is a great opportunity to partner with police," McComas said.
"We know that the majority of time, when the community interacts with the police, it's an unfortunate situation, so we want to bridge that gap to let them know we are human too, and we do care," Ford said.
When the boxes are packed, they're loaded up and delivered---along with toys and warm coats.
"I'm here for the children. I think it's a wonderful thing," said Shunese Peay.
Donations shed a positive light on the community, helping all who live and work here.
"There is always someone who can use a hand and this is the time of year that if you can go out of your way to do extra, try and do it," McComas said.
This is the fourth year the Federal Hill Hospitality Association has joined police in that effort.
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