The seventh annual community dinner took place on Wednesday, December 14 at Kelly School, in the Flats in Holyoke, and for the first time since the pandemic, it gathered in person a large number of families and community members to celebrate with food, music, decorations, and activities for the children.

Initiated by Justin Chavez, and Israel Rivera in 2015, this grassroots event is an opportunity of gathering, celebrating the holidays, and share a meal together, while organizations put together packages of gifts, food, and other good to give to families attending this event, now a local tradition.

Nayroby Rosa-Soriano, from OneHolyoke CDC, has been the lead of this community effort, coordinating the event for the past years, and with the support of over 100 volunteers, made possible an event that brought joy, hope, and reconnection with the community, after doing this event as a drive through distribution of food.

In attendance, Holyoke Mayor, Joshua García and his family, addressed the families with a brief message, followed by some words by Holyoke Public Schools Superintendent, Anthony Soto. Also in attendance were City Councilors Jenny Rivera, Juan Anderson-Burgos, José Maldonado-Velez, and Kocayne Givner.

Recorded on December 14, 2022 at Kelly School in Holyoke, MA.