Woodbridge Salvation Army invites people to join communal Christmas dinner
There will be presents, plenty of food and good company
The Salvation Army in Suffolk is opening its doors this Christmas to offer a shared festive meal to anyone who would otherwise be alone, as rising living costs continue to put pressure on households during the winter months.
Alan Hill, from the Salvation Army, said the aim of the Christmas meal is simple: to provide warmth, company and a sense of family for those who may be struggling or feel isolated during the festive period.
Alan has been responsible for the past 44 Christmas Dinners by the Woodbridge Salvation Army, ensuring people who attend are welcomed equally and treated with dignity.
He said: “When people come to me, everyone gets the same. Everyone’s treated the same.”
Hill explained that the Salvation Army relies on a small group of volunteers to run its Christmas activities and said commitment was crucial in ensuring the day runs smoothly.
“If you get nine or ten (volunteers), nine or ten volunteers is all that’s needed, you don’t need any more, but then that’s sad because sometimes I have to say to the volunteers I get, 'if you say you’re coming, you’ve got to come."
“If you say you’re going to volunteer, then you’ve got to volunteer. You don’t say, ‘oh I’m coming’ and then something crops up, and you don’t turn up, and it’s the same for those who come as for meals as well.”
Christmas Spirit
As well as providing a Christmas dinner, the Salvation Army also gives out presents, particularly to children, ensuring everyone receives something regardless of circumstance.
Hill said the focus is not on how much people receive, but on fairness and shared celebration.
The atmosphere of the Christmas gathering, he said, is what stays with him long after the day itself.
“It’s just the actual joy of it all. It reminds me of when I used to share Christmas. I’ve got five brothers, two sisters, and we all used to share together with my mum and dad, and it’s just like that,” he said.
“It’s just like a family Christmas, and the joy you see in people’s faces, especially those who never expected to get any presents or never expected to get a meal, it’s just the joy.”
Hill added that for him, the event captures the true meaning of the season.
“For me it’s what Christmas is all about, the joy of Christmas, the happiness of Christmas. It’s not about getting lots of stuff out of supermarkets and filling your trolleys up,” he said.
“It’s a joy on people’s faces because it’s come and they’ve had a good time.”
"See the love that can be given at no cost at all"
He encouraged people to think about compassion during the festive season, saying small gestures can make a big difference.
“I think it’s both, to look for joy and compassion, to see the people around us as human beings, to see the love that can be given at no cost at all,” Hill said.
“It’s amazing to see people just smile and laugh and not look at what I can get, what I can have.”