WASHINGTON — Christmas is a day off for almost everyone, but some who don’t celebrate the day spent it giving back in downtown D.C.
Bearing boxes full of food, water and toiletries, members of Jews and Muslims DC gathered at Franklin Square to help those in need.
“It’s a time for the two communities to come together on a day that is not a holiday for us, and to do something nice for the community together,” says Danya Greenfield, of JAM DC.
Many members of D.C.’s homeless community greeted members of the organization with smiles as they were handed the items many say they needed.
“It helps me a lot, because it helps me live and survive,” says Darlesha Joyner, 24. She is supporting a family and says these little donations go a long way.
The group handed out tuna and egg salad, cookies, oranges, candy canes and holiday cards made by kids with construction paper and crayons.
“It touches my heart; it puts cry in my eyes,” said Cassandra Harris, of D.C., as she reads the card she received.
“People seem very grateful and happy to engage and smile and say happy holidays,” Greenfield said.
The group brought enough to take care of 100 people and they left with empty boxes.
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