WHAT DOES it mean to be part of a community? Is it simply sharing a space, celebrating victories, and exchanging smiles and stories? Is it coming together to help those in need, offering a leg up when life feels overwhelming?
Look around you, and you’ll see the heart of the Middle Tennessee community in action. It’s the neighbor dropping off a warm meal at the door of someone struggling to make ends meet, the volunteers sorting donated clothes at the local donation centers, and the group of friends rallying together to serve in a soup kitchen. The true beauty of a community lies in these often unseen and simple acts.
Matt Sfirakis believes “community” means so much more than just being in close proximity to others. He believes it’s about people from all walks of life coming together to lend a hand and lift each other up when life gets tough.
“Community, to me, means to come together and help out in a situation for people that are struggling in any type of situation and to bring some happiness and joy to them. I believe that our contributions have helped families out at a time of need and hope.”
These words come to life in his volunteer work with local projects and fundraisers that enhance the quality of people’s lives in meaningful ways.
In 2015, Sfirakis’ Olympus Gyros & Pizza in Decherd was the perfect place to serve and educate young children. At Olympus Gyros, he first realized the impact a small business could have on its local community.
“I used to let children come into our kitchen and teach them to make their own pizzas and the process of it,” he began.
“We had schools come to our place for field trips. In the time that I was open at Olympus, I must have had over 400 children come through our kitchen and make their own pizzas. There is not a better feeling than seeing a child laugh and smile while making a memory for them, and that is what I was able to do with my platform at that time.”
During that time, Sfirakis and his team partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and donated sales each September to grant pediatric cancer patients’ Christmas wishes.
But his contributions to the community were just getting started. His experiences as a business owner led him to give back by hosting an annual event that would bring joy to families and children all over Franklin County.
“I am just an average guy with four children trying to make a difference with our platforms and help out as many people as we can,” he explained.
And so, the Free Christmas Meal event was born — a day for Sfirakis’s family and volunteers to share food, love, and community with anyone who needs it.
Many of us want to give our families the very best during the holidays, but for some, the stresses of making ends meet can feel overwhelming. Recognizing this, Sfirakis and his wife decided to turn their wedding anniversary into an opportunity to give back every year. They wanted to create an event that would offer a warm meal to anyone who could benefit from a little extra support during the holidays.
For one night, they don’t have to worry about how to feed their family; they can simply enjoy a warm, nourishing meal. There are also many older adults, as well as others, who may struggle with cooking, driving, or simply getting out of the house.
For them, having a meal delivered can be a small but significant act of kindness. And for those who may be well-off but find themselves without family or friends to share the holidays with, the event offers a place to gather, enjoy a meal, and perhaps make new friends along the way.
This effort brings together volunteers and businesses to provide free meals to those in need on Christmas Eve.
While Sfirakis initially feared the event would be a challenge, the community proved him wrong.
“When we announced the event on social media, we had people reaching out to volunteer, and local businesses stopped by to donate. I am so grateful for them. Without their support, there’s no way we could make it happen.”
The event has grown each year, thanks to the endless support of volunteers and local businesses. Volunteers do everything from cooking and preparing to delivering meals and cleaning up afterward to give community members a day full of Christmas miracles.
“Seeing all the volunteers smiling, laughing, and just having a great time while we tried to spread the joy and happiness of the Christmas holiday season one meal at a time to those in need — it was truly a Christmas miracle moment for me and my family (children) to witness and know that we were able to help someone out in some shape or capacity.”
Over the years, the event has grown immensely, and Sfirakis and his team plan to continue moving forward. He believes that in the near future, the Free Christmas Meal event will expand every year, and they’ll serve even more meals than the year before. He also looks forward to hosting more than one event in the future.
In serving Franklin County, Sfirakis hopes to leave behind a legacy for his children to carry forward.
“I want to teach my kids that even though we’re just an average family, we can make a difference with the platforms we have. Whether we’re small business owners or not, we have the ability to make someone’s life a little better.”
Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is our time, love, and support. And with every meal Sfirakis’s team serves, every smile the volunteers and family share, and every hand they extend, they’re proving that a little bit of hope can go a long way. GN
