KENNEWICK, Wash. -- 76 boys and girls got to spend Christmas with families, open new gifts, hang out with Santa and eat a full fledged feast at Sandstone Cafe Christmas Day.
It's a tradition the owner, James Ortega has put on for eight years. His staff and cooks volunteered their time and came in to make and serve dinner as well.
"We work with a lot of community groups. Safe-Harbor, SARC, domestic violence women's shelter, the Union Gospel Mission over in Pasco and various recovery houses, oxford houses in the area. where the moms are just starting to get back on their feet," said Ortega.
Dinner included, fried turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and more.
"Some kids don't get a Christmas and they deserve one. Christmas is about the kids, its about giving, so that staff here and the crew, we've all volunteered," said Joel Watson a cook at the Downtown Kennewick cafe.
Besides dinner, the customers and staff also made sure the kids had gifts to open.
" Some of the things are like basic needs, like diapers, towels, clothing items, warm jackets, barbie dolls," Ortega said.
He said many people came in and dropped off food, and presents to make sure they had a great holiday. The cafe fed about 150 people today.
