Charity provides festive feast for 280 guests

Christmas can be a stressful time of year but imagine cooking a traditional feast for more than 200 people.

The Gateway 950 Community Trust in Hamilton does just that - and not only during the festive season.

The trust was set up nine years ago with its main focus to provide free, quality meals to anyone from the community in need.

Every Wednesday, a team of volunteers serve a communal style meal to around 200 guests.

Some of the ingredients are donated but these have to be topped up by around $500 each week.

The weekly meal is also a chance to highlight other community needs such as clothing or medical assistance.

Funds for these services are raised by a charity op shop connected to the trust.

The $10,000 from the 12 Days of Christmas will be used to fund 20 weeks' worth of meals, including the final meal of the year, Christmas dinner.

Bobbie Wills is the driving force behind the trust.

"Staying at home and gardening is not really my thing."

The Christmas meal is given extra attention and the team works hard to treat everyone with respect and dignity.

At the start of each year the charity feeds around 130 diners and this grows gradually throughout the year.

Mrs Wills said this year's Christmas dinner, last week, was excellent, with more than 280 in attendance - up slightly on last year.

Mrs Wills used to do the cooking, but that job is now in the capable hands of Peter Simmons.

The Christmas feast this year was turkey, ham and vegetables followed by a fruit salad and meringue.

"It's always a bit of a gamble with Christmas and knowing how much food to make - Peter always does extra."

Santa Claus was on hand to dish out presents of chocolate, lollies and toys to the children.

During the year, the team likes to provide a variety of food, and boil-ups, fish pie and pork and puha have all proved popular meals.

Preparation begins on Tuesday and meals take around a day and a half to make.

"We try for a roast at least once a month - I wouldn't give anyone food I wouldn't eat myself."

The $10,000 will go towards meals for the next six months, freeing up money for the charity's other ventures.

Mrs Wills is looking at setting up a breakfast programme featuring motivational guest speakers to let people know what they can achieve.