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NILES -- Members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Niles spent three hours Saturday handing out 1,500 Easter dinners prepared by six local restaurants.
The effort was a collaboration between the parish, local donors and the restaurants to make sure families in need had an Easter meal.
The Rev. John Lavelle, pastor of the parish, said six restaurants each made 250 dinners that the parish purchased at a discounted rate. The meal included meat, vegetable, potato, bread and butter, dessert and a candy bag for children.
The parish contributed $5,000 and the other community partners and donors, which included businesses and restaurants, gave $7,000 to make the event possible.
Those needing food had to get a voucher from Niles Community Services, which serves people in Niles, McDonald and Mineral Ridge.
Cars lined up along Robbins Avenue like an assembly line, with people pulling up and receiving boxed meals and Easter bags through the passenger-side window.
Vernon Cesta of Vernon's Cafe was among a small crew Saturday in the parking lot helping pass out the food.
"We were more than happy to do this and help out. None of us have ever been through something like this before. We want to help out as many people as we possibly can at Easter," Cesta said.
Donna Smith of Niles was among those getting meals and Easter candy for her children.
"It really means a lot to my family. We will have a nice dinner together," she said.
James Coates of Coates Car Care said he was glad to be able to help out. His business was among many that gave donations to the effort.
"We wanted to do our part and help make this possible," Coates said.
Lavelle said the local businesses that helped all have a parish connection, with family members who attend the church.
Restaurants that prepared meals were Ciminero's Banquet Centre, Giorgio's Ristorante, Giusseppe's Italian Market, High Pointe Tavern, Stoneyard Grill and Vernon's Cafe.
On Friday, the Warren Family Mission also helped residents in the Warren area have a ham dinner for Easter.
Volunteers and staff prepared and delivered Easter meals to homebound residents Friday morning.
Chris Gilger, executive director of the mission, said more than 2,700 meals of ham, potato, corn, cole slaw and bread were prepared for Easter and more than 1,800 were delivered.
He said the Ohio National Guard helped hand out other meals for carryouts on Friday.