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Families Receive Hope For Holidays

News Channel 8 photo by KATY HENNIG

Lisa Simmons and her four year old daughter Aliyah Newton, play with the learning laptop that Aliyah received as a Christmas gift.

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By KATIE CORONADO | News Channel 8

Published: December 26, 2008

Hundreds of struggling families from across the Bay area came together at Metropolitan Ministries to have a hot meal on Christmas Day.

"Have faith, have hope, just keep praying" - that's what Lisa Simmons said allows her have such a positive outlook despite her family's recent struggles.

"We lost our jobs, and then they started the eviction process," Simmons said.

Simmons, her 4-year-old daughter Aliyah and Aliyah's father, Morrius Bleau, have been living at Metropolitan Ministries for about four months.

Simons said so far she's been lucky to find a part-time job. She says she's trying to save money so she and her family can get back on their feet.

Two days ago, Simmons and her family received an early Christmas present: she got a new job in the health care industry.

Simmons said she's spending this holiday with her family and enjoying a hot meal.

Aliyah is also grateful. She received a laptop and a big dollhouse this Christmas.

Metropolitan Ministries opened its doors to anyone who needed a place to have a Christmas meal.

The food prepping started three to four days ago, and on Christmas, staff and volunteers started at 3 a.m.

It took about 100 volunteers to accomplish the traditional holiday meal that served hundreds of struggling families from across the Bay area.

Ana Mendez, a spokeswoman for Metropolitan Ministries, said despite scarce donations this year, the organization pulled through and met its goal of feeding and giving gifts to about 24,000 people.

"The goal is for families and individuals to walk away knowing somebody is there for them and cares for them and for them to be able to have a meal together without any worries," Mendez said.

It's something that's given hundreds of families hope for the future.

"It's going to be a brand new year," Simmons said.

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