WILKES-BARRE – In the first half hour of Monday’s food distribution at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Kitchen on Jackson Street, 41 families showed up.

Mike Cianciotta, the manager for 10 years, said he expected to provide food to more than 300 local families in need.

“Our goal is to make sure everyone has food for the holidays,” Cianciotta said.

Each family received a frozen turkey, a bag of potatoes, vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and gravy, and much more.

Cianciotta said the kitchen also offers daily hot meals at noon and in the evening for those in need. He said the average attendance for these meals is 250 to 350 people.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen, which is operated by Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Scranton, held its annual Christmas food distribution for the community on Monday at its facility at 39 E. Jackson Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Food was distributed between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and again between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. No pre-registration was required and anyone needing help before Christmas was welcome.

The annual Christmas food distribution at Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen takes place in addition to the regular meals provided daily by the kitchen between 11 am and 12:30 pm These meals are provided every day of the year, including the end of the year. week and holidays.

Christine Davis from Wilkes-Barre stopped to collect food and said she really enjoyed the program. She said her family has been struggling financially lately.

“We will enjoy this food,” she said. “Especially my two children, who are 3 and 1 years old.”

Bill Leonhardt has volunteered in the kitchen for 16 years and Mary Ann Wills is in her 10th year. They were busy distributing food as people entered the kitchen.

“I have been blessed in my life,” said Leonhardt. “So I try to help here and I do what I can. “

Wills said she volunteers because she enjoys giving back to the community.

Miriam Lopez from Plymouth has stopped to cook something for her family of five.

“I have three children,” she says. “We all enjoy this program. “

In May 1983, Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen was founded as a program of the Wyoming Valley / Wilkes-Barre Catholic Social Services Office. The kitchen was to serve a free meal in the middle of the day every day of the year. The kitchen became an afternoon and evening meal, also providing a clothing room and a food bank.

Contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.