Maldini's restaurant invites homeless to Christmas day meal

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - A restaurant in south Richmond is serving up the giving spirit, opening its doors to anyone in need of Christmas dinner. Maldini's Restaurant owner Marcello Armetta invited homeless people to enjoy a warm meal with his own family. Visitors packed Maldini's all Christmas day, sharing in the warmth the family cooked up willingly, for strangers.

Armetta says this year he wanted to share his blessings and teach his young boys an important lesson, through example. "Some people don't even have a house... (even) food… Thank God that you have everything," said Armetta.

Armetta, his wife Rhenda, and their sons spent Christmas bringing joy and food to nearly 100 people. Volunteers donated toys for the taking, and helped serve and clear tables, refilling plates- particularly for children who seemingly had no where else to go.

"You know how some kids pick food? (The children who came in for a meal) didn't pick. They ate," said Marsha Gayot, who helped Maldini's serve the homeless.

Wilson Clemons is homeless. Clemons decided to stay and help out at Maldini's, the entire day.

"For (Armetta) to open up his restaurant, especially on Christmas day, and bring his family in… and just open up pretty much his heart to the homeless is absolutely incredible," said Clemons.

Christmas wasn't always an easy day of celebration for Armetta. He immigrated to the U.S. 17 years ago from Italy, speaking no English. Armetta began washing dishes, and worked his way to ultimately owning his own restaurant, with revered Italian food.

"It took a lot of hours, and a lot of work," continued Armetta.

Now, Armetta is displaying his rewards through compassion, a message he continues to demonstrate for his sons. "Learn from this to share when you can, help when you can, and try to make this world better," said Armetta.

Armetta and his wife say they are going to try to serve Christmas dinner, every year.