Auckland City Mission's Christmas lunch is expecting 2000 guests at this year's event, with 300kg of ham, 2000 chicken drumsticks and 300kg of potatoes ready for the banquet.
Taking place at the Viaduct Events Centre, the lunch is a culmination of several months of planning. Behind the scenes are an estimated 550 volunteers, selflessly giving up their Christmas Days to ensure the lunch is a success.
Student Isabella Lenihan-Ikin volunteered with her brother, Rory, at the Christmas lunch last year. This year they're back with the whole family in tow. Their parents, who had always been interested in taking part, opted in this year after Isabella and Rory came home raving about the experience.
"It was such a beautiful and humbling experience," says Isabella. "It's always been something I've really wanted to do.
"I always go and drop things off at the City Mission during Christmas time, and I noticed the lines have been way longer, and the news reports about the fact that far more people are in need of food packages, and I thought this is a really simple thing that I can go and do."
Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly says the lunch takes several months of planning and hundreds of hours of work from volunteers.
It begins at 11:30am, with entertainment kicking things off before lunch is served at 12:30pm. Every guest receives a gift before leaving.
Isabella says giving up her time on Christmas Day was never an issue for her, despite having to work it around time spent with her extended family.
"But so many people don't have that, and they don't have the time, money and ability to be with their family. It made my family have a greater understanding," she says.
Isabella and her family are on decorations this year, working three hours in the morning to deck the halls of the events centre. There are a number of different roles volunteers can occupy, including wrapping presents, preparing and serving meals and cleaning up.
She says Christmas spirit at the lunch is as bountiful as the food.
"There are so many volunteers making sure the people that come, especially children and elderly, feel that sense of hope and community of being round family and friends.
"Christmas isn't about presents or how much money you have. It's about caring for each other and showing love and celebrating the year and looking forward to next one."
You can donate to the Auckland City Mission here.
Newshub.
