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An “absolutely phenomenal” response from the public and business community has ensured food on the table at this year’s free Christmas Day lunch in Ōrewa.
This year the lunch is being put on by Love Soup Hibiscus Coast and the Salt Community Trust – Love Soup stepped in to ensure it went ahead after it was to be cancelled because no one had been found to run it this Christmas.
Love Soup director Julie King says the response to the story about this in Hibiscus Matters’ November 14 edition was immediate and overwhelming.
So far more than $8000 has been donated. In previous years the Salt Trust has had to raise around $5000 to put on the lunch, and this year that sum was given in one lump sum by an anonymous donor who saw the story.
The additional money will cover any extra catering items needed because King, and the Salt Trust’s Nigel Debenham, are expecting a big turnout.
Debenham says demand for food parcels has suddenly spiked in recent weeks – from 50-60 parcels per week to 80-90.
The biggest ever Christmas Day lunch was attended by 180 guests, but Debenham says they feel it could top 200 this year.
“We’ve had so many people and businesses offer their help and money,” King says. “Council gave us free hireage of the Ōrewa Community Hall for the three days we need it, we have singer Avalon coming to sing carols, and Anchor has come on board. There are just too many to thank everyone – but you know who you are, and we are very, very grateful for all the support. It’s not just about feeding people – it’s about bringing people together.”
At a recent meeting to discuss arrangements for the lunch, one volunteer said why she was happy to help.
“I want to put the ‘ho ho ho’ into the ‘ho-hum’,” she said. “Just being part of this feels so good.”
King says working on the lunch has also set up a great collaborative relationship between Love Soup and Salt Trust that will enable lots of good community work in the future.
