With Christmas fast approaching, thoughts turn to those in need and the annual Christmas Day dinner hosted by the Salvation Army in Ryde.
The Salvation Army is very grateful to all those have been able to donate items of food for the annual dinner in previous years.
This year Kay Willett is taking the reins to organise the event. She says,
“As always, we will be providing a free hot meal and a pudding, to all our friends in the Community who may be homeless, elderly, anyone who will be on their own and families who wish to join us.”
How you can help
Kay has listed out below items needed in order for them to help the homeless and those who would usually spend Christmas on their own.
If you can help in anyway, do please get in touch with Kay (details at bottom of article).
Food
Carrots, sprouts, stuffing, pigs in blankets, parsnips, roast potatoes, gravy, Turkey, peas, Christmas pudding, cream, custard, mince pies, milk, tea, coffee and Christmas cake.
Drinks (non alcoholic)
Pop, flavoured water, fruit juice.
Gifts
It would be lovely to be able to give small gifts: Men’s, ladies and children’s.
Entertainment
We would love to entertain our guests. Can you spare a couple of hours on Christmas Day?
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist in the preparation of the vegetables on the Christmas Eve. This usually takes a couple of hours with a good team of people.
Volunteers are needed on Christmas Day to help get the room ready for the guests’ arrival. Time to be confirmed.
People are also needed to serve the guests during the meal and to chat and share fellowship. You may be the only person that has spoken to the elderly folk that come in for a while.
Finally, it all needs to be cleared away.
Drivers
Many of the guests will needed to be collected from their homes. If you can help collect and return the guests at the end of the day please get in touch.
The Salvation Army also delivers food parcels to families over the Christmas period. Could you assist?
Kay finishes by saying,
“Things on the outside are not always what is going on, on the inside, there are many people with different needs and troubles, we as a church feel we need to be a church In the community and reach out to all.”
If you are able to offer any help on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day or donate items for the special meal, please get in touch with Kay via email [email protected] or find her on Facebook.
Image: © Salvation Army
