Christmas dinner needs volunteers
The search for a chef and more volunteers is underway as the festive season draws closer.
The much-anticipated Timaru Community Christmas Dinner, with all the trimmings, which will cater for up to 250 people, is short on a chef and more volunteers, coordinator Melissa Brennan said.
The chef did not have to be qualified, they just had to be capable of running a kitchen and directing volunteers.
‘‘If we can’t find a chef we will be happy with an experienced home cook who can take charge,’’ she said.
Most of the community dinner food was prepared by the chef and volunteers the day before, she said.
Brennan started as a volunteer at the dinner about seven years ago and this is the third year she has coordinated the meal.
With 30 volunteers already prepared to help, which includes about five just in the kitchen alone, Brennan was looking for about 15 more.
Their role would include setting up the hall and food preparation the day before Christmas and serving and cleaning up on the day.
Organised and run by volunteers
Melissa Brennan
and funded through monetary, and some food, donations, the $4000 to $5000 event is a calendar highlight, especially for those who do not have family to spend the day with.
‘‘It’s great to see everyone enjoy themselves . . . We don’t want anyone to be on their own at Christmas,’’ Brennan said.
Last year food started to run low as about 300 guests turned up, so this year Brennan said it was paramount people booked and it would be capped at 250 diners.
‘‘It’s hard to say ‘no’ but we have to.’’
■ To book a seat for the Christmas dinner or to volunteer, phone Melissa Brennan on 0204 007 3351 or 684 4410 or email timaru.ccd.bookings@gmail.com
‘‘It’s great to see everyone enjoy themselves . . . We don’t want anyone to be on their own at Christmas.’’