Northeast Ohio newlyweds donate and serve reception food to women's shelter

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) – A pair of Ohio newlyweds turned their canceled wedding reception into an act of kindness.

On August 15th, Melanie and Tyler Tapajna were married in front of families and friends, but the couple had to cancel their wedding reception because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They had already paid the caterer for the food, so the couple took all the food to Laura's Home Women's Crisis Center in Cleveland.

Not only did they donate the food, but they also served the meal to residents, all while wearing their wedding attire.

"We pray this amazing couple is blessed immensely in their marriage, and thank them for inviting our guests to their wedding feast," the City Mission wrote on their official Facebook page.

More than 130 women and children were able to enjoy the meal, thanks to the newlyweds. Shelter organizers say they've never seen anything like this before.

The couple hopes to be an inspiration to others whose plans have been derailed during the pandemic.