Christmas lunch for those in need

GIVING BACK: Rachel O'Keefe-Brown, Matiu McRae, and Judy-Anne Kerrigan, Te Aranga Marae, Flaxmere,will be hosting 150 homeless and those who have nowhere to go on Christmas day. Photo / Paul Taylor

For two women giving back to the local community is in their DNA.

Seeing the dire need in the region has spurred Rachel O'Keefe-Brown and Judy-Anne Kerrigan to create a Community Christmas lunch for the homeless and those who otherwise have nowhere to go on Christmas day - "anybody and everybody."

From 10am to 3pm on December 25, they are expecting 150 people, if not more to celebrate at Te Aranga Marae, Flaxmere.

Ms Kerrigan, a solo mother of seven children from as young as 4, finds Christmas very difficult to enjoy and as it approaches it becomes something that she does not want to celebrate.

"If we put ourselves in their shoes, it makes us appreciate what we have even more but it also makes us reflect on those less fortunate than ourselves."

They were struggling with sourcing kumara and pumpkin, due to prices for those ingredients being too expensive.

Similarly, they asking people to donate vouchers or anything, be it dessert, decorations, or time to the non-alcoholic event.

She said they had even received messages from two separate woman offering to make enough pavlovas and steam puddings, with custard to feed 150 people.

"We've got a fantastic community around here in Hawke's Bay and we can't thank people enough."

She said the support had been "overwhelming," considering they had only decided last month.

They are also currently looking for a Santa and Mrs Claus to surprise the children.

In the short time that they have been organising the event, Mrs O'Keefe-Brown said they had people willing to donate meat, decorations, Christmas tree, gifts for the children, as well as their time.

They also have a barber and a face-painter giving back.

Their sponsors include U-Turn Trust, Bay City Church and Countdown and Nourished for Nil, who have offered all their left over produce to "bless" those on the day.

As well as a hangi, cold meat, salads, roasted chicken, lamb and pork and others would be on offer.

"Everybody likes to be valued and appreciated. We don't know you but we want you to know that you are loved, you are appreciated and you are valued for who you are and you don't have to give us anything in return."

With the unfortunate loss of her father, Peter Rangi Kerrigan on Wednesday morning, Ms Kerrigan is dedicating the event in memory of her father.

"It's added something else to our Christmas party for sure," Ms Kerrigan said.

They were standing on their faith as Christians to help people.

"Because we're Christian too and we believe in God and the answer to prayers we stand on God alone. God's riding this all the way and we are just overwhelmed with faith, joy and praise to God of what He is revealing to us. He is revealing Himself to us every day," Mrs O'Keefe-Brown said.