Annual giveaway born from one man's despair

YOUNGSTOWN

Dozens of families, friends, volunteers and well-wishers will come together once again this year for a community Christmas celebration and gift-giveaway at St. Patrick’s Church on Oakhill Avenue.

Gleaners Food Bank on Pyatt Street will be hosting the Christmas Day celebration with a dinner starting at noon at the church. The dinner will be followed by a toy giveaway for kids, as well as flowers for the elderly and clothing, cookies, candy and fruit baskets for all.

Organizer Joseph Lordi has been organizing the Christmas day celebration for 19 years. He said the dinner and giveaway were built out of his own memories of being without.

Read how he now pays it forward in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.