Community Christmas lunch enters 11th year: 'We're one big family'

Gael Riddiford is inviting people with nowhere to go on Christmas Day to attend the 11th Community Christmas Dinner in Waipukurau. Photo/Clinton Lllewellyn.

Like many people, Gael Riddiford is already thinking about Christmas Day and what to serve for lunch - but not for her own family.

For the past decade, the owner of Riddiford Sports store in Waipukurau has been providing people who have nowhere else to go on Christmas Day, a place to go.

This year will be the 11th year that Gael has organised the Community Christmas Dinner at St Andrews Church Hall, where anyone can turn up and enjoy a free two-course meal in the company of others.

"There's nothing worse than sitting at home on Christmas Day and not having anyone to talk to," said Gael, who organised the first dinner after her own two children had grown up and moved away.

"There were about 17 of us at the first one I think. Then the next year it doubled, and the next year it doubled again, until there was one year where it was over 90 people and I thought we can't fit any more.

"But we never had 90 again and over the last few years we have consistently had 40 to 60 people".

Gael said single people, couples and even entire families had attended over the years.

"Last year we had a family that had just moved to CHB and I think they had two or three little ones with them, and everyone loved that. But I don't know if they will come this year because they've been here for 12 months so they have probably made friends by now."

She said the dinners were a lot of fun with entertainment often provided by talented guests - like the group of Pacific Island seasonal workers who one year performed traditional songs and dances - while decorations helped create a festive spirit.

"We make the hall look really nice, with nice table cloths and table settings and we hire all the cutlery and the plates, so it's all decorated. It's nice and festive," she said.

The menu was simple but ample and no one went hungry.

"We usually have ham and chicken, and potatoes and salad, and lots of dessert. It's a good feed and there's usually food left over."

It was free, but while there was no obligation for people to pay, many guests liked to donate food or money, she said.

"And I get a lot of people coming in here to say 'here's $20 for your Christmas dinner'. And we always have enough food."

Though bookings were appreciated for planning purposes, Gael said people could simply turn up for the dinner at 1pm on Christmas Day.

"Some people just turn up and say 'I am here to eat' and we say 'right, here, take a seat'. No one gets turned away," Gael said.

Helpers were welcome, but they also had to sit down and share in the meal, said Gael.

"I like to think we are one big family having Christmas together!" she said.

For bookings, offers of food or donations or to arrange transport to the dinner, phone or text 0223670952.