Friendship Room patrons and guests enjoyed eating together outside on a sunny afternoon.

The event, called Light the Night, also included a candle-decorating area for people to use for their prayer intentions.

Center of Charity Director Christina Kihn explained the idea behind Light the Night.

“Light the Night started in 2016,” Kihn said. “It’s all about prayer and reflection.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Members of the Kiwanis Club of Alpena and other volunteers take a quick photo break from serving at the Friendship Room on Friday during the Light the Night cookout.

Inviting members of the community to come eat and pray together is one way to remind people that others care about them, and so does God, Kihn said.

“A lot of individuals within our community aren’t doing so very well,” Kihn said. “So, we want to make sure that all of our prayer intentions go toward them right now, especially in this economy, and the housing crisis. We really need all the prayers we can get.”

She said this year’s event had a good turnout, and that next year’s event will be bigger and better.

“We’re helping people who absolutely need the help, here,” Kihn said. “And, we’re able to do it in a way that shows God’s light.”