Free food and the imagination of two children brings the holiday spirit to the Sault

Feeding those who need it in the Sault The season of giving continued in the Sault Saturday with an idea to feed people on the street coming from children. CTV News has more.

The season of giving is alive and well in the Sault.

A local family took to the city's downtown, giving away pizza and drinks to anyone they came across, just two days before Christmas.

The Olar Family Ryan Olar, his two daughters Abella and Violet along with friends and family provided free pizza and drinks to more than 230 people on Dec. 23/23 on Queen Street in Sault Ste. Marie. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The generous event was organized by Ryan Olar, but the idea actually came from his youngest daughters, 11-year-old Abella and five-year-old Violet.

"I like helping people in need,” said Abella.

“I hate to see people starving or homeless on the streets because it makes me sad."

With that, her father contacted a friend at Vintage Games 'n Junque who allowed them to set up outside the Queen Street business.

Olar initially purchased 10 pizzas, with that being matched by DeLuca's Pizza for a total of 20.

They also purchased cases of water and a local Tim Hortons donated coffee.

Pizza handed out A Sault family arranged to hand out pizza – part of which was donated by a local pizzeria – along with drinks to those in need in the city’s downtown on Saturday. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

This is the first time the family has given out so many but they told CTV News that the premise has become routine for them.

"We do a lot of good things around town. My daughters, we buy people pizza all the time, and little things around town, we clean up garbage all year at the parks too,” said Ryan.

“My daughters are right into that stuff so I'm right there with them."

The Olars’ goal was to feed 200 people in the two-and-a-half hours they were set up.

They eventually ran out of pizza and Ryan bought a few more to serve more than 230 people in total.

Ryan Olar Ryan Olar talks with CTV News about a generous event that sprung from an idea his daughters had on Dec. 23/23 on Queen Street in the Sault. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Joining the family were a number of other relatives and friends – including Abella's classmate Makayla Robibaro.

"I've been really enjoying it. It's been really nice, I've been handing out pizza and stuff,” said Robibaro.

“There's been a lot of people coming and it’s been really nice."

Hunter Olar, Ryan’s niece, explained why she wanted to take part.

"It feels nice,” she said.

“Because I feel that giving back is the best thing you can do around the Christmas season."

Ryan said that due to the event's success and how much it helped all involved get into the holiday spirit, they are planning to do it again next year.

Meanwhile, nearby on Gore Street and charitable event was taking place on Saturday, SOYA's annual Christmas giveaway.