As the season of giving draws near, several North Attleborough businesses are giving back to the community by providing meals to families in need.
The Meat Bar and 17 other local businesses have been raising funds to make and distribute 200 Christmas meals for families unable to buy food this year. Nelio Pereria Vaz, the co-owner of The Meat Bar, said his company originally planned to make 100 meals for the holiday season. Because of the widespread support from other businesses, Vaz said he and his wife Kathy could raise enough to make 200 meals which will be delivered to families on Dec. 23.
“It was a raffle going on at the time and then a bunch of companies helped step up to get us where we are right now,” Vaz said. “It’s not just us.”
The businesses that donated to The Meat Bar include Kelleher Doors Inc. and N.E. Building and Restoration, FloodFirePro Inc. Kanna Klean and Remediation, Stanek Construction, Reinbold Insurance, The Preservation Framers, The Mosquito Guy, the Law Office of Patrick Keady, Ryleigh’s Diesel Automotive Repair, Doucette Capital, Lamar and Sons HVAC, Albertini Masonry, Adam Graphic Corporation, North Attleboro Gas and Service, C.J. Builders LLC and The Simony Family of North Attleborough.
According to Kathy Pereria Vaz, the meals will feed families of five to six people and feature popular items on the Meat Bar menu, such as ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and apple pie. The meals will be delivered to families recommended by Lenore’s Pantry. Vaz said the purpose of the meals was to give back to the community during the holiday season, and she and her husband would continue the tradition of raising money for meals next year.
“We just wanted to do 200 for this year so we don’t get overwhelmed,” Vaz said. “We will do it next year as well.”
Additionally, the other businesses that raised funds for the meals have said that they are willing to do the same in 2024 and beyond.
Tom Rapsoa Jr., the owner of The Mosquito Guy, said he found out about the raffle on Instagram and was inspired to help after learning other companies were participating.
“It was just something my buddies were doing,” Raposa Jr. said. “It’s a good thing to do and I will do it again next year.”
Matt Slobogan of The Preservation Framer also learned about the fundraiser through social media and said he wanted to help support the community by giving back to those less fortunate.
“Nelio is a stand-up guy,” Slobogan said. “I am always looking for ways to help the community and non-profit organizations.”
