The Trenton community gave the less fortunate full stomachs and entertainment Monday.
TRENTON -- Volunteers from Trenton and beyond offered their time, talents and food Monday night to provide dinner and a movie to the homeless for the third year in a row.
This year's event was held in honor of city activist Juan Martinez, who died last May at 55, and was attended by politicians like U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson.
"This event is about togetherness. Most of these people don't even know each other," organizer Brian Blakely said. "We have too much going on with the police and our youth; this is something beautiful."
Freddie and Rosa Rosado, owner of a McDonald's in the city, brought 10 employees to help man the food tables with other organizations such as the Order of Easton Stars and representatives from the Porkroll Store of Allentown, among others.
In addition to the dinner, Outdoor Flicks and Concessions provided a movie for the homeless people in attendance.
Community comes together for dinner and movie for the homeless
The annual event, which was held on Carroll Street behind Rescue Mission, began three years ago when Blakely challenged Eric Muhammad to show a movie to the homeless during his ALS "ice bucket challenge."
"We want to give them one night to sit back and not have to worry about food; just relax and enjoy the movie," Muhammad said.
Blakely said he expected 50 volunteers but ended up with many more even after rain threatened to postpone the event. There were approximately 120 homeless people in attendance.
Mayor Jackson expressed the importance of unifying the city with this event.
"This is an awesome event that brings our community together," Jackson said. "Brian has been an incredible help in feeding the homeless. These kind of events bring us together during times of conflict with police brutality and violence against officers."
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