It’s not the way anyone would want to start their Sunday morning. Just after sunrise, a fire tore through a family’s home in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

It was a beautiful sunny morning on Dawson Street, and for many, they were probably enjoying coffee, but for Tara Lewis, she woke up to the smell of smoke.

Her home of 30 years is now gone.

“I’m feeling taken aback. I’m feeling confused and just at a loss for words,” Lewis said. “I was met with smoke on the second floor. My grandson came downstairs, said he smelled smoke, and when we opened the door, it was all on the third floor.”

The family had been in the middle of renovations. Construction materials and chemicals meant for rebuilding their dreams instead fueled the flames on the third floor, eventually blowing up.

The family, their dog, and only two precious items made it out.

Neighbors say they watched in disbelief as the smoke rose high above the power lines, fearing the fire would spread to another home.

Tara’s grandson, who escaped the fire, spends a lot of time at the community club right across the street. His friends say they quickly stepped up, trying to help him cope.

“The worst part about it is he hasn’t even graduated from high school. He has to experience one of the most debilitating things a person can experience before he got his diploma, which I think is insane,” childhood friend Adam Khalil said.

The Lewis home wasn’t just another house on the block; it was a piece of the neighborhood’s heart. For decades, families gathered there for cookouts and celebrations.

“This is horrible. This is one of the most beautiful houses on the street. I was literally raised in this house,” Terald Harris said. “Got a lot of memories in there. A lot of memories.”

Even with the Flames gone, the fire has left its mark.

“I don’t think that smell is going to go away anytime soon. I think it’s going to haunt this neighborhood a little,” Khalil added.

The family says, despite the damage, they have plans to rebuild the home.

Inside the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center everyone knows Joni D’Alessandro. She worked professionally doing hair and nails and she’s Italian, so food is her love language, and she keeps this kitchen packed with non-perishable food.

“If you have the need, we’re there,” D’Alessandro said.

She’s there providing more than just sustenance while simultaneously keeping her stepson, Christopher’s, memory alive. She said, “There’s not anything that I do, that Christopher isn’t in it.”

Christopher was only 16 when he committed suicide. “Only anybody that is in that club, and nobody wants to be in that club knows the hurt,” said D’Alesandro. 

Early on in her grief, she volunteered to paint nails at UPMC Children’s Hospital. 

“They would tell me about their children, about their life, about coming in as a middle-class family and leaving bankrupt,” she added.

D’Alesandro said parents would spend money every day to get necessities like water bottles and food. So, that’s when she got the idea to open a free 24-7 community pantry and kitchen, in medical settings, for the parents and guardians of pediatric patients.

Now there are two Christopher’s Kitchens at UPMC Children’s Hospital, and two at Children’s Home where pediatric patients stay as a transition after leaving the hospital.

“Families are so focused on their child’s care, which they should be, but they still need to be nourished. That’s what Christopher’s Kitchen is providing,” said the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center, Director of Development, Taylor Dozier. 

“From a few days, if they’re just here to get some feeding training, or they could be here for months, depending on if they’re waiting for something like at-home nursing care.”

So, Christopher’s Kitchen now helps 13,000 families on average, every year with only volunteers. “We’re not doctors, we’re not nurses we’re not care workers. We’re not case managers we’re just there to help out in that moment that you need something quick,” Christopher’s Kitchen volunteer, Kate McDermott, said.

An even quicker necessity the non-profit opened 16 water stations at local hospitals. Parents show their gratitude for the food and nourishment when they’re spending countless hospital hours by their kid’s side.

Christopher’s Kitchen is completely funded by donations. “Pittsburgh is just such an amazing town for that kind of thing, and it allowed us to come into here who is like, I think the ultimate,” D’Alessandro said.

Every cent goes back into the non-profit to provide more food to feed the caretakers of hospitalized kids, in a time of need. It’s ultimately saving our community time, money, and stress while keeping Christopher’s memory alive.

The non-profit can always use volunteers, donations, or community members hosting a food donation drive. For more information on Christopher’s Kitchen and how you can help click on this story, click here.