BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- In the true spirit of the season, a local pastor served up more than holiday cheer. The Buffalo Dream Center hosted its annual lasagna dinner on Tuesday for the homeless and those in need.
The heartfelt gesture gave hundreds of people the opportunity to enjoy a warm meal and get into the Christmas spirit.
For more than 20 years, Pastor Eric Johns has devoted his life to helping people throughout Western New York. Approximately 300 people filled the Buffalo Dream Center to attend the event.
"I can't imagine my Christmas Eve being any different than lasagna dinner with these guys," said Johns. "People we know throughout the years, as we reach out to them with our different programs, come here on Christmas Eve and it's their Christmas. It's their special time."
Pastor Johns says none of this would be possible without the help of numerous volunteers. They helped cook the lasagna, handed out beverages, and served the food to all who were in attendance.
Town of Tonawanda resident Mike Smith said that volunteering is a rewarding experience.
"It's fun and exciting for us," said Smith. "It's nice to just let everyone know that there are people who care for them even though they are out on the streets."
Smith's wife, Liz, said she is grateful for all she has received throughout her life and loves spending her time helping those who need it more than she does.
"We have been blessed by the Lord," said Smith. "We want to give back to those who are in need that need it. They really do need it."
The lasagna dinner is not the only event that was held by the Buffalo Dream Center this holiday season.
Pastor Johns has lived with the homeless during the week of Thanksgiving for the last 25 years. This year he passed the baton to his sons, who spent the week living outside to raise awareness about Boxes of Love, a Christmas campaign to support Western New Yorkers in need.
The organization has also helped nearly 3,000 families with food and toys for the holiday.
Pastor Johns said over the years he's gotten to know several of the people who attended Tuesday night's dinner, and he now considers them family.
"We could go through this room and tell stories about people, that are real people who have been through terrible things in their lives," said Johns. "To be a part of their life has really changed me and impacted me maybe more than I've impacted them."
If you're interested in volunteering with the Buffalo Dream Center, you can find more information here.
Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.
