As the holiday season inches closer, let it be known that there are a number of local groups out there willing to help others who may not be as fortunate. Among them are the folks who own and work at Amaral’s Fish & Chips at 4 Redmond St.

On Sunday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., they will once again offer complimentary dinners to those in need of a good, hot meal. According to family member Lubella Amaral, a ticket will provide one meal.

“People can stop by and pick up a ticket here at the restaurant at any time, or they can have someone stop by and pick it up for them,” she said. “A ticket provides one meal.”

As Lubella explained, all of this will be part of the restaurant’s 11th Annual Holiday Dinner, and the Amaral clan is expecting another large turnout.

“We’ve have ticket requests for as many as 200 people in the past,” she said. “Everyone here at the restaurant is so happy to do this for those who need a dinner.”

Taking a cue from the late Gil and Zelia Amaral, the original family owners, their offspring haven’t missed a beat. That includes current owners Tony and Donald Amaral, sisters Dot (Amaral) Valenzuela, Lubella Amaral, Lucy (Amaral) DaSilva, and brother Gil Amaral. The late John Amaral, former Bristol High School soccer standout who was tragically killed in a highway accident working for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation a number of years ago, was also a former owner of the restaurant.

Other relatives who are and have been playing a key role in this Annual Holiday Dinner event include Sherry Amaral, Brian Amaral, Meghan Amaral, Josh Amaral, Shawn Amaral, Chelsea Vieira, Hector Valenzuela, and Holly Amaral.

Said Dot Valenzuela, “We also give tickets to the Senior Center here in Warren, and the St. Mary of the Bay Food Pantry to pass out to families in need of any extra food, and we distribute every year at Crossroads or the Men’s Homeless Shelter in Newport, as well as Thrive.”