---

ATTLEBORO - The area's less fortunate got to enjoy a Christmas feast with all the trimmings at the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus Hall, courtesy of a small army of volunteers who loaded up trays and boxes of food.

More than 200 people attended the 24th annual dinner, which featured turkey, vegetables, homemade soup, fresh fruit, rolls, and desserts such as blueberry and apple pie.

The longtime event was started through the efforts of Knights of Columbus member Ed Tedesco, who died in May 2003, and his friend Jack Hagopian of Ro-Jack's Food Stores, who died in September 2003.

In fact, in honor of Tedesco, the dinner starting this year was renamed the Ed Tedesco Memorial Christmas Dinner.

Lori Carroll, one of Tedesco's daughters who has been coordinating the event since her father's death, explained that Tedesco saw the need in the community for a dinner to serve people who had nowhere to go for the holidays. The first dinner was a "big success", Carroll noted.

More than 100 volunteers were on hand to prepare meals this year. Another 175 meals were being delivered to homebound residents in the area, including in nearby Rhode Island.

Transportation for some of the attendees again was provided by the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority, known as GATRA.

Morin's Catering provided the food for the meal, as it has done in the past.

A variety of Christmas carols were sung by volunteers to accentuate the festivities.

The event was sponsored in part by the Bishop Feehan High School, with the remaining sponsors coming from local businesses, organizers said.

Many of the attendees are "familiar faces," Carroll explained, noting those getting meals delivered to them at their homes need "a friendly face to say hello to."

"It's something the community needs," said Henry Lumbra, a member of the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus.

The dinner was an "opportunity to share the holidays and share the spirit" of Christmas, Lumbra noted.

Another attendee was Jeffrey Heap, who works for the Arc of Northern Bristol County. Heap said there are a lot of shut-ins in the area. Heap has delivered meals to many people in the past.

"It brings a smile to their faces," Heap said, adding the experience was rewarding for him.

Jean Thomas and her husband Tony came from Trinidad to share the joy of the holiday.

Tony Thomas said there was "a lot of happiness here."

Jean Thomas explained she wanted to "come out and be with people."

A man named Michael, who has been homeless for 15 years, said he came for the food and for the company.

"I have someplace to go," he said.

Pam Casey, another volunteer, brought her husband and their daughters to help out.

"We did it last year," Casey said, noting the attendees were appreciative. "We had such a great time."

Casey noted she wanted to make helping out at the dinner a tradition for her family.

"This is the spirit of Christmas," Casey added.