Maria Fazio-Caba of Millstone Township will spend Thanksgiving at a place other people might find to be an unusual holiday destination.
Joined by relatives, friends, colleagues and even Facebook contacts, Fazio-Caba will make a special delivery of food and clothing to homeless individuals outside Penn Station in Newark on Nov. 26.
Fazio-Caba said she believes this is the epitome of what the holiday season is all about. She is hoping to repeat the effort before Christmas and again in February.
She credits her friend Raphael Perez of Newark with coming up with the idea to help the homeless at Penn Station. Perez has been making a similar effort for the past six years.
Fazio-Caba was inspired by Perez when she saw pictures of him interacting with homeless individuals in Newark on Thanksgiving in 2013.
“These were not your traditional Thanksgiving photographs,” she said. “It was a picture of Raphael and his sister, Jessica Ruiz, serving homeless people food. It was not in a soup kitchen, it was taken in front of Penn Station; just him and his family feeding the hungry.
“That’s when I decided I wanted to help. I messaged him (Raphael) and he said I was always welcome to join them. So with the power of social media and my big mouth, we put the word out.”
In mid-November, Fazio-Caba posted a message on Facebook asking if anyone would like to donate food and beverages to the effort. She also asked for donations of used coats, scarves, gloves, hats, shoes and blankets.
Fazio-Caba said people’s generosity was overwhelming. Donations of clothing filled her car and donations of food included trays of lasagna, macaroni and cheese, homemade pies and more.
She also cooked food with her family.
“With the help of my sisters we made trays of baked ziti, and Raphael’s family made chicken and rice,” she said. “There will be more than enough. … My friends and co-workers supplied drinks and snacks.”
Fazio-Caba said the food is served out- side Penn Station and individuals are able to select the clothing they need. “Once you go there and see how thankful and harmless the homeless people are, it brings the true meaning of the holiday season alive,” she said. “When you feed those who are hungry, talk to a person who is usually ignored, give a coat to someone who is cold, or shoes to someone wearing wet slippers, it really makes you appreciate what you have. It does not take much to help those in need. It is also a time for my loved ones to do something together during this busy holiday season.”
Fazio-Caba is a single mother who works for the family owned Professional Hair Design, Woodbridge. Among the volunteers were her daughters, Aliyah, 19, Alyssa, 16, and Alivia 13.
She said she is proud of them.
“I hope my children and their friends will keep this tradition,” she said.
Fazio-Caba has lived in Millstone Township for 13 years. She enjoys living in the same community as her sisters.
“I am blessed to receive such generous donations from my boyfriend, family, friends, employees and clients,” she said. “I also have so much support through our community. My children’s friends, their parents and soccer teams are always willing to help. I want to thank each and every person who made this holiday special.”