Hundreds of people gathered at four Auckland locations for a Christmas lunch sponsored by City Mission today.
Aucklander Karl Sylva with his 5-year-old god daughter Xea enjoy City Mission's Christmas lunch at Freemans Bay, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
City Missioner Chris Farrelly said they decided not to do one big lunch - which last year was attended by 2000 people - out of Covid-19 concerns.
Eight hundred people were expected this year at Freemans Bay Community Centre, Nando's on Queen Street and Manukau, and the mission building, according to Farrelly.
"We have smaller lunches, quite intimate, quite connecting, and I think in this is a lot of beauty. Also, we've also provided 9000 families over the last week with a full Christmas lunch so that they can do that at home - chicken, vegetables and desserts etc," he said.
Freemans Bay was decorated with balloons, fairy lights and Christmas trees, which Farrelly said volunteers had put a lot of effort into.
"What we want to do is not just give people a meal, but we want people to feel good about themselves and feel the company of others in a good way so it's not just about food. It's about connecting and feeling that we all care for each other."
He said he had seen a growing level of kindness, care, help offered, and compassion, and that was perhaps because people understood needs better in light of the pandemic.
"The important thing here is everything that we give has been given to us, and this community of New Zealand has given incredibly generously to us and to other missions and organisations this year."
Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly, with long time volunteers Cheryl Jenkins and Yuin Khai Foong, who say it's great to see people coming together on Christmas. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
Volunteer Yuin Khai Foong, who was on his 13th Christmas lunch duty and was at the Freemans Bay facility, said it was an honour to be involved.
The meal included ham, drumsticks, sliced cabbage, vegetables and stuffing.
"I think it's a fantastic job that Auckland City Mission do. I think in a country like ours and in a city like this, everyone deserves to have an opportunity to celebrate Christmas, so it's fantastic they do this every single day and Christmas is just another day blessing more people, just a slightly more special day than others," he said.
Another volunteer Cheryl Jenkins, who has been serving for the past 22 years, agreed that the charity had done a great job.
"That seemed to help so many more food parcels and helping people to have Christmas luncheons at home as well as in here today. It was amazing having more families being able to spend them at home and having individuals come in today so that there's sort of not people sitting at home alone [on] Christmas. That's fantastic," she said.
Joseph Castro came with his wife Yasmin Rojas and three children came to enjoy celebrations with others since they don't have a wider whānau network here.
Joseph Castro and Yasmin Rojas with their three children Allen, Justin and Brandon say they feel more connected coming to the City Mission's Christmas lunch. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
The Colombian refugee family say they feel more connected and less lonely in the festive season thanks to the charity.
"It's beautiful because the intention is very good and the people are friendly," he said.
Aucklander Karl Sylva came with his 5-year-old god-daughter and enjoyed dessert after the meal.
"I came here just for the atmosphere because I'm not very good at Christmas ... It's a nice atmosphere and nice people around and I'm so grateful to Auckland City Mission."
Meanwhile in Christchurch, rain throughout the morning may have turned off a few families from attending the free Christmas lunch, put on by the City Mission.
Up to 1200 were expected this year at a huge marquee erected next to the Linwood rugby clubrooms.
Christchurch's City Mission Christmas lunch turnout had less people than expected, after rain poured down. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
But City Missioner Matthew Mark said numbers were more like last year, when 900 turned out.
"It was a bit of a concern for us. You know it was bucketing down earlier ... and there's a lot of our whānau who don't have transport and walk."
Natasha Smith, who made it along with her children and extended family, said it was always a special time.
"We are all sitting at the table together so that's good, it's always good to catch up with everyone, our brothers and sisters from the streets as well. That's what Christmas is about, spending it together, rather than alone."
Mark said they had a busier than usual week leading up to Christmas Day, with 8000 food parcels handed out.