ATHOL — Anyone thinking they might have to spend Christmas alone can now spend it with 100 friends. North Quabbin residents who were planning a solitary holiday celebration will instead have the opportunity to enjoy a free meal at Athol House of Pizza — a holiday gift courtesy of four area businesses.
“A couple of years ago, I owned another business, and we did a Christmas dinner, and it was quite successful,” Eric Olson, owner of Clean Out Kings, said. “We did it before Christmas, though. So, I thought it would be a great idea to do it again. There are a couple of fellow business owners I wanted to bring on board with me. I asked if they wanted to be a part of it, and they said, ‘Yes.’
Olson said he explained that he wanted to offer the meal on Christmas Day and the ones who joined are all on board.
“I said, ‘I want to do it on Christmas Day because I don’t want to just be another free meal for anybody, I want it to be a meal for people who really have nowhere to go,’” he said. “I told them they’d have to give up a little bit of time on Christmas Day to go down there and help us serve and make the meal, but I think it’ll be worth it.”
All four businesses— Clean Out Kings, Athol House of Pizza, Knapp Home & Heating Maintenance, and New Leaf Property Maintenance — are splitting the cost of the event equally, Olson said.
The meal will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. and will include baked ziti with both meat and meatless options, rolls, and pie for dessert. Diners will also be entertained with Christmas music.
Seating is limited to 100, so anyone who would like to reserve a place at the table should call Olson at (978) 790-5081.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.