Military families get taste of holiday cheer with free meals

The Southeast Armed Services YMCA distributed free meals to hundreds of Colorado Springs families on Friday, through Operation Homefront.

In total, 500 meals were given out to families of service members and wounded warriors in Colorado Springs.

“It’s important to make (the kids I nanny) feel like they’re included in things. Especially because their parents are gone a lot and they don’t get out to do a lot of things,” explained Allison Paul.

For families like these, Operation Homefront says it’s the least they can do.

“We have deployments that are going on, many families that are separated from their loved ones,” said Christine White, Operation Homefront Manager of the Pikes Peak Region.

“There’s a lot of stress, so we want to help families, especially those who are serving… to make sure that we are helping them and their families with everything that they need,” added Keri Funkhouse, Southeast YMCA Marketing and Communications Director.

In total, 26 locations nationwide gave away 8,500 holiday meals.