Among those living at a West Englewood shelter are single mothers with their children.
"We have a lot of people here for different reasons, but Olive Branch tries to make it special for them, show them that people love them and do care about them," said Donna Pearson-Simmons with Olive Branch Mission.
The deliveries are made possible by St. Sabina Catholic Church in Auburn Gresham, which for years now has been making sure those less fortunate have a hot meal and a toy, or two, on Christmas Day.
"Years ago I heard many shelters had sandwiches on Christmas morning because they were letting the staff go so they could have Christmas with their families, so we said no, I want to make sure they have good meals so how do we make this work," St Sabina's Father Michael Pfleger said.
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It works thanks to dozens of volunteers, the drivers who deliver the meals, along with many more who pack and sort who gets what. On this Christmas Day, St. Sabina delivered for over a dozen different locations including shelters, veterans homes and even the local police department.
"I know what it like to not have anything, to be in a shelter," volunteer Hiola G. Alston said. "I've never been in a shelter, but I've got a lot of people that i know that were in shelters, some that that still are. It makes it better for them to feel like somebody actually cares and that they want to show them some love too."
The meals themselves, 1600 in all, were provided by six local caterers.
"We've prepared our roasted chicken, candied sweet potatoes, homemade cornbread stuffing, green beans and a roll," caterer Nicole Jordan said.
St. Sabina pays for the meals as a way to help the business and those on the receiving end of them.
"A warm meal for some people is very important," said John Meyer with BJ's Market and Bakery. "So we think about that. We love doing this."