Valerie Schwarz, the executive director of the Berkshire Food Project, said the dinner helps bring friends together who otherwise might not celebrate the holiday season.

 

"This is like family to them," Schwarz said.

 

Schwarz said about 150 people came to the hourlong dinner, which featured ham, parsley potatoes, broccoli, carrots, salad and a "Chocolate Raspberry Bash" for dessert.

 

Everyone who attended the dinner also received a gift bag, which contained home-baked cookies donated through Storey Publishing, the church, Girl Scouts and others, fresh fruits, food and toiletries. Women's bags included necklaces, men's bags contained a personal hygiene kit and children's bags held coloring books, crayons and toys.

 

Ali Benjamin and her daughters Merrie, 11, and Charlotte, 6, helped hand out the bags. Merrie said mostly everyone appreciated the gesture.

 

"Most people say, 'Thank you, Happy Holidays,'" Merrie said.

 

The Berkshire Food Project hosts daily lunches on weekdays at noon at First Congregational Church on Main Street. In addition, the project participates in advocacy work and application help for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps), among other things.

 

For more information on the Berkshire Food Project, visit www.berkshirefoodproject.org.