On Dec. 10, a fire-alarm fire ravaged an apartment building on Thurston Road in Rochester, leaving 12 residents homeless just weeks before Christmas.

In response to a relief drive organized by City Councilman Adam McFadden, Foodlink responded quickly by assembling more than 30 boxes of food to bring to those affected by the fire. Volunteers and Foodlink staff helped pack the boxes, which included food items donated through the Food For Families campaign on Dec. 7 — an annual food drive spearheaded by Tops Friendly Markets, and WROC News 8.

Foodlink delivered the boxes to the relief drive Wednesday at Eclipse Bar & Lounge, a few blocks down the street on Thurston Road.

The fire left people without a home for the holidays. Spectrum News interviewed James Smith, who was displaced along with his 13-year-old son.

“It’s devastating when the reality hits you, and it’s like wait a minute, I don’t have anything,” Smith told Spectrum.

According to News 10 NBC, another relief drive effort is underway. On Dec. 22, a fundraiser is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Elim Christian Fellowship on Main Street.