Rotorua community Christmas lunch for everyone, says pastor (+ video)

Nobody should go hungry or be alone on Christmas, a local pastor says.

Harvest Apostolic Church pastor and Rotorua Christmas Day Community Lunch planning committee chairman Dave Moore said the lunch was an important community event because "if you are on your own for Christmas it can be a terrible time".

"For us as combined churches it's the highlight of our calendar year and we want everyone to have a great day so they can go home feeling like they have been able to mark the day with a sense of joy."

The event, organised by the Rotorua Association of Ministers, has been held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre for the past two years and will be again this year.

Mr Moore said there were still a few spots left for volunteers to help set up tables and wrap presents on December 23 and prepare vegetables from 1pm on Christmas Eve.

"We are always turning away volunteers every year, it's overwhelming how many people give up their Christmas to serve others."

FREE LUNCH: Dave Moore is excited to give out free lunch this Christmas. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Gifts are given to children 12 and under and the event will be MC'd by Kingi Biddle.

"Kingi builds a real family atmosphere and makes it a very special event and we want it to feel like being among family.

"Our target group is people who are going to be on their own or those who will struggle to put on a meal for their family," Mr Moore said.

Organisers expect about 500 people to come along and he said there would be children's activities and entertainment from artists such as Marianne Hodge, local band STAVE, country music entertainer of the year winner Anahera Waiariki and more.

Mr Biddle said this would be his fourth time as MC.

"For me it's about everybody, everybody deserves Christmas. Christmas is about giving and there are many of our families that aren't able to give, that's where this community lunch comes in," he said.

The gifts were sponsored by Freefit Fitness group, Warren Tumarae - who ran a boot camp called Koha for Kids - with graphic design by CG Design. Rotorua Energy Trust has also contributed to the event.

The lunch is free but people need to register at the Rotorua Citizens' Advice Bureau at Community House, 1143 Eruera St, or St Johns Church, on the corner of Ranolf and Victoria Sts.

Doors open at 11.30am and people will be seated for lunch from 12pm.

For information visit the Rotorua Christmas Day Community Lunch Facebook page, or to volunteer call Diane Walford (07) 362 8224 or 027 262 6096.

If you want to contribute towards the day you can make a donation to
ANZ - Rotorua Ministers Assn: 11-61000017915-11.