SANTA’S elves are not solely a work of fiction – they are real-life people helping those in need this Christmas.
As many people unwrap presents and indulge in festive treats, a group of selfless volunteers will be dishing up free Christmas dinners in Southampton.
Volunteers from the Southampton Sunday Lunch project will serve a three-course meal at their locations in Woolston and St Denys on Sunday.
Both venues will be open from 10am for “a cuppa and a chat” while food will be served at 11.45am.
Manager of five years Linda Burke is one of the four volunteers involved on Christmas Day.
The 54-year-old said: “We have been running the project for about 32 years every Sunday offering a three-course meal and as much tea and coffee as people like.
“We decided between us we would open on Christmas Day to make people’s day, and even if only a handful of people come, we will have done that.
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“We have homeless people, OAPs, and single men and women coming along, and this means they can do something on Christmas Day if they haven’t got anybody else.
“It’s very lonely for them and they may need a hot meal.”
Although the opening hours are short, there will be plenty of food for people to tuck into.
In Woolston people can enjoy soup, beef and turkey with bubble and squeak, followed by Christmas pudding, mince pies, and cream.
The offering in St Denys is similar, with soup, sausages, roast potatoes, veggies and gravy, and Christmas pudding and cream available.
But the importance of the project goes beyond the food.
Linda said: “One lady who visits us doesn’t have a cooker, so this is the only decent meal she gets. And one man normally only comes for the company.
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“A lot of them make friends through this.
“People say to me ‘last Sunday was fantastic, and the atmosphere was lovely.’ “They get to talk to other people and being able to put a smile on their faces makes me happy.
“There’s a lot of work behind it, but it’s worth it.”
Volunteers will be serving Christmas dinner at St Denys Church Centre and opposite The Oven Door Bakery in Woolston, in a building with a red door.
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