"It's unfair to go out into the community and to businesses to ask for money or donations of food and gifts when many businesses had to close during Covid."
She said in the past community support had been huge with large donations coming from businesses, organisations, clubs, churches and individuals who gave money, food, Christmas gifts and generous discounts.
Apart from these donations a big team of volunteers worked hard leading up to the event, making sure everyone received a Christmas gift and creating beautiful decorations and on the day a big team turned out to prepare, cook and serve the food.
The $1500 left over from last year's event will go toward next year's dinner, if it goes ahead.
Donna said this was a good start in planning the next event.
"When we started this we started with nothing."
There were also leftover children's gifts and these had been donated to Tararua Community Youth Services who would distribute them.
Had this year's event gone ahead planning would have had to start in May, mid the Covid lockdown.
Donna said she and Murray had the community's interest at heart.
"We wanted to target the elderly, those who live alone and families in need but this year it wasn't meant to be.
"As to what happens next year we are left in a quandary."
