Mezzo Ristorante hosts hundreds for free Yule lunch
‘We want to give them lunch, a smile, a hug and a handshake’
Hungry guests packed an Erie Street restaurant Wednesday for the 17th annual instalment of a free Christmas luncheon.
Hundreds of people without homes or family to spend the holiday with enjoyed a hot feast and two presents each from Mezzo Ristorante, which served food and distributed donated presents from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We have a lot of people that are alone on Christmas,” said restaurant co-owner Filip Rocca. “We want to give them lunch, a smile, a hug and a handshake.”
In the first hour, 150 people stopped by for a meal.
“I came because I like to be a social person, and I have friends that come to these,” said Jeanie Garvey. The 73-year-old Windsor woman spent time with family the day before, but she wanted to be with people on Christmas day, she said.
Mezzo Ristorante began collecting new and used toys, books, scarves, hats, and gloves about a month ago so each guest on Christmas day could leave with some presents, Rocca said. This year, the restaurant also handed out 3,000 $25 gift cards for Food Basics.
Anthony Sove said he moved to Windsor in 2014 from Michigan and is alone for Christmas in the city. Wednesday was his fourth holiday lunch at Mezzo Ristorante.
“The food is awesome,” 58-yearold Sove said. “I have no family, so I come here.”
Turkey, chicken, and pasta were on the menu alongside veggies, salad, fresh Italian bread and “a ton” of homemade desserts all served buffet style, Rocca said.
Jerry St. Onge and his family live in the neighbourhood. They started eating at Mezzo Ristorante for Christmas three years ago.
“There are a lot of people you see, but you don’t get a chance to actually sit down and talk to them,” St. Onge said.
“This is an opportunity to get to know people in the neighbourhood.”
Rocca said he expected 300 people in total for the Christmas luncheon.
One female guest who declined to give her name called Rocca the “best in town” for feeding so many people for free. She said she had no one, and asked Rocca for a grocery gift card.
“He is getting the poorest people to his restaurant to share his love,” she said. “God bless him. Everybody is happy.”