The organisers of the Community Christmas Lunch are laying down a challenge to the community to open their doors in the years to come and share the true spirit of Christmas with those who will be alone or can't afford a special meal.
More than 200 people from "all walks of life" attended the free Christmas meal hosted in the Masterton Town Hall by the Masterton Community Church and Salvation Army with food and gifts donated by the community and businesses - making it the biggest event they had hosted yet, said Pastor Pete Hampson.
"Our aim when we started was to not be needed. It would be good if we had a community where everyone had somewhere to go and share Christmas," he said. "For us not to be needed. It's a good challenge for our community."
Meanwhile, it was a top notch event with the scene set by the Latter Day Saints singing and hapa haka group entertaining the crowd, great food provided by a caring community and an "atmosphere" showing the true reason for the season, Mr Hampson said. All left with a smile on their face and a container of food left over from the meal.
"It's great. People have been able to catch up and share a meal together. The food has been fantastic ... So many people haven't had to spend the day alone; people from all walks of life. Some don't have family, others can't afford to put on a special meal."
