‘Everyone deserves a little something special’
Just because you can’t afford it, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it, says Crossroads Marlborough Charitable Trust co-ordinator Janette Walker.
A ‘‘five star’’ meal is being promised to those struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.
John’s Kitchen is putting on two meals for Marlburians to help bring a little cheer to people in need this holiday season.
And it’s set to be a festive experience.
‘‘It’s what you’d expect at a five star hotel,’’ Walker said.
Walker said the kitchen would be kitted out with Christmas decorations and the tables covered with Christmas cloths.
A buffet-style breakfast would be be on offer on December 25 from 8.30am till 11am and a special dinner would also be held this Wednesday, December 20 from 5.30pm.
This was the third year John’s Kitchen was putting on hot meals for those in need at Christmas time.
Walker said she started the events in 2015 after noticing no-one else was providing meals for those in need.
She was anticipating a large turnout of 400 to 500 people over the two events, but said she wouldn’t be surprised if numbers were much bigger than that.
Walker said it was generally families and pensioners who had come along for the shared meal in the past.
More than $1000 had been donated to Crossroads to help cater the meals and about 30 volunteers would help with the cooking and preparation.
One of those volunteers helping out on Christmas Day would be Alistair McLeod.
McLeod had been volunteering at the Christmas breakfast for the past three years and was in charge of cooking eggs.
He said he was ‘‘astounded’’ at the amount of food that had been donated to the kitchen. ‘‘So many people donate and it’s amazing.’’
The meals will be available at Crossroads at 2 Redwood St, Blenheim.