Where to go this Christmas for a bite to eat in Tauranga

Picnic in the Park organiser Tracey Carlton will be holding a meal for homeless people and families on Christmas Day at Coronation Park. Pictured with her with 9yr old twins, Pania (left) and Hine Attwood, and their dogs. Photo/ Andrew Warner

No one should be alone and hungry on Christmas Day in Tauranga thanks to a special Picnic in the Park joining other traditional festivities offering support for the lonely, homeless and hard-up.

Organised by Claire Morris and supported by Rachelle and Chris Duffy of Little Big Markets, Tauranga Christmas in the Park happens on Coronation Park from noon to 2pm on Christmas Day.

Inspired by Tracey Carlton's twice-weekly Milo Nights in Tauranga's downtown, the free feast would include donated hams, salads and baking.

''All for our beautiful homeless people - it is going to be exciting,'' Carlton said.

Donations of home baking were still welcome, she said.

Gifts of essential items for the homeless like water bottles, warm socks, sunscreen and roll-on deodorants were also welcome.

Carlton was expecting some homeless families to join the picnic from noon to 2pm. ''We have many families with no food and no presents.''

She said the picnic would be a beautiful thing to be part of, with gazebos offering shade from the sun or even the possibility of a late shower.

Meanwhile, St Peters in the City were inviting all to join their 27th annual community Christmas dinner.

The event can cater for up to 220 people and is for individuals or families in need, the elderly or for those who just don't want to spend Christmas on their own.

Co-ordinator Esther Brignall said many people just came so they could spend time with others.

The volunteer team of 194 know their various roles - the decorations, setting 23 tables, present wrappers, meal preppers, greeters, servers and those who clean up.

Brookfield New World donated and cooked 25 chickens, Tauranga Party Hire helped with fridges and they also received a TECT community grant. But Brignall said there were so many who help and donate.

''Last year a lady popped her head in and asked if we would like a few hams they had spare, I said yes and they said 'Right, we'll just back the trailer in'. They donated 20 whole hams,'' she said.

On the menu was roast chicken, ham, roast potatoes, kumara and pumpkin, gravy, peas and corn. Fruit salad, Christmas pudding, custard, ice cream and meringue is on offer for pudding.

About 250 takeaway packs of leftovers were made up for people to take away or would go to feed the homeless who came for lunch every Tuesday.

The church asked that people register, but at this late stage anyone could just show up.

Every child under 18 gets a present as well. Doors open at 5pm on Christmas Day.

Tania Lewis-Rickard, of Kai Aroha, had been gathering food donations to surprise a family living in a tent by bringing Christmas lunch to them.

Lewis-Richard said the family had been camping on a papakainga, a housing development for Maori on their ancestral land.

"We went to visit them to see how their tent had survived over the storm and we asked what they wanted for Christmas," Lewis-Rickard said. "He said, 'I told my family not to worry because God will provide'."

So Kai Aroha gathered enough food donations to be able to bring a festive lunch to the family of two parents and seven children on December 25.

WHERE CAN YOU GO THIS CHRISTMAS?:
What: Under the Stars Homeless in Tauranga Christmas dinner
Where: 29 Cliff Rd, Tauranga
When: December 23 from 6pm

What: St Peters in the City's annual Christmas dinner
Where: 130 Spring St, Tauranga
When: 5pm on Christmas Day

What: Tauranga Christmas in the Park
Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui
When: From noon to 2pm on Christmas Day