Volunteers line up to help as hosts call time on Napier community Christmas dinner

The couple started helping in the kitchen predecessors when the event was held at All Saints Church, and have been doing it every Christmas for 15 years.

It was relocated to the Salvation Army premises in Greenmeadows, and found a home at Park Island with the facilities made available free of charge, joining a list of sponsors and supporters including the Napier City Council and Pak‘nSave Tamatea.

Almost 150 guests were at the Napier Community Christmas, for which there were about 45 volunteers preparing the meal, serving, and transporting and welcoming. Photo / Doug Laing

About 45 volunteers were involved, some for two days as the meal and the premises were prepared to cater for about 16 tables of needy, a mixture of homeless, families unable to afford a costly Christmas and those who would otherwise be spending Christmas alone.

The jobs also included greeting driving to collect people without transport or deliver meals to people unable to leave their homes, including at least one trip to Hastings.

“I’ve just delivered six meals,” said volunteer Elly.

Annual volunteer Berry Rangi (right) as the last meals of the day are served to new Napier Community Christmas organisers Debbie Morley (left) and Donell Hole. Photo / Doug Laing.

One who was there to help was Anaru Randell, who had during the year graduated from being a foundation resident at new Napier homeless night shelter Te Ahuru Mowai to getting a job and “get me a house”, after several months living in his car.

“I’m here for Jim and Joanne,” he said. “They’ve been my support. I needed a kick up the bum, and they gave it to me.”

New Napier Mayor Richard McGrath tells the Napier Community Christmas guests of his hopes for the council and the city in the new year. Photo / Doug Laing.

Addressing the guests, Jim Gaudin said: “We know that things are tough, and we wish that every day could be like today.”

Acknowledging those from the homeless shelter, he said: “Every one of them comes with a story. If you come across them on the street, take the time to talk with them, find out why they are on the street.”