While it may be the most wonderful time of the year for some of us, others this Christmas will be struggling with the cost of living, facing lonliness or even finding themselves without a roof over their head. With bills soaring, more people than ever are having to decide between heating their home and putting food on the table over the festive season.
But organisations across Greater Manchester will be there to provide free hot meals to make sure people do not go without this festive period. While some are for people with specific issues, such as those experiencing homelessness, others are keen to welcome anyone of a hot meal and good company.
Here are some of the places in Greater Manchester that are offering free Christmas meals on the big day and over the holidays.
Bury
Bury Parish Church
A free Christmas dinner will be available from the hall at Bury Parish Church. This will be between 1pm and 3pm on Christmas Day, either to sit-down or to take-away.
There will also be a local delivery service to the elderly and to care homes on Christmas Day. In addition there will be a delivery service available to individuals and families on Saturday, December 24.
There is no charge for the meal and it is being provided thanks to Cosalea Cafe and a number of charities. Support has come from Caritas, The Church of England, Impact, Young Christian Workers and the Council of Christians and Jews.
If you, or someone you know, would like to order a meal, then please contact 07855 306074. You will need to book in advance if you want to sit down and eat your free Christmas dinner in the church hall on Christmas Day as space is limited.
Manchester
Cornerstone
Cornerstone, the day centre for homeless people based in Denmark Road, Hulme will be serving hot food on Christmas Day. However it stresses this is only for people experiencing homelessness this festive season.
Doors open at 10am and Christmas dinner is served between noon and 1pm, when the centre closes.
Lifeshare
Lifeshare will be serving three meals a day as part of its week-long Christmas Project between December 23 and 29. Based at the New Victoria Development, next to Victoria Station, the charity will be welcoming anyone in need of a warm place to spend the day, a hot shower, dry clothes, a fresh meal, or a friendly face.
The organisation served up more than 2,000 meals last Christmas - and is aiming to double that number this year. A spokesperson said: “A meal is a simple thing, but the feeling of knowing your community cares about you enough to help keep you fed is nourishing to the soul as well as the body.”
Those who wish to donate a Christmas dinner can do so here.
The Christmas Project opening times for anyone in need are as follows:
- Friday, December 23 - 2pm – 8pm
- Saturday, December 24 - until and including Thursday 28 December 7.30am – 8pm.
- Friday, December 29 7.30am-2pm.
For more information on the Christmas Project see www.lifeshare.org.uk
Oldham
UKEFF
The UK Education and Faith Foundation is inviting anyone struggling to buy food or worried about bills to join them for a hot meal on Christmas Day.The festive ‘Warm Food Hub’ event will take place at Oldham Unitarian Chapel, on Connaught Street.
Places must be booked in advance, as spaces are limited.
Visit www.ukeff.org/christmas22/ or call 0161 6606818.
Rochdale
Army of Kindness
Rochdale’s Army of Kindness is to host its 7th annual Christmas Day meal. The event will take place at St Andrew’s Church, Entwistle Road, Rochdale (next to Aldi) between 1pm and 4pm.
For more details contact Sheraz on 07940 470705
Petrus
The homeless charity will be welcoming people for Christmas dinner on the big day - and there will be presents, too. Doors at the Great George Street hub will open on December 25 between 11.30am and 2pm.
Around 48 service users are currently expected - but the shelter is happy to welcome more. Sonia Denham, Head of Petrus, said: “No one should be alone at Christmas, and for a lot of our service users, Petrus is like family.
"Last year, we opened our doors on Christmas Day and cooked Christmas dinner for 27 service users. We knew demand would be even higher this year and we’re currently expecting 48 to join us. Our hub will be open from 11.30am to 2pm for anyone who needs us."
Petrus will also be open over the holidays on the following days.
Saturday, December 24 - 9am - 1pm
Sunday, December 25 - 11.30am - 2pm
Monday, December 26 - 9am - 3pm
Tuesday, December 27 - Friday, 30th - 9am - 4pm
Saturday, December 31 - 9am - 1pm
More information can be found here.
Salford
Free Christmas meals are being served up to more than 500 people aged over 65 in Salford. Councillor Sammie Bellamy has partnered with a local charity, Unite the Union, UNISON, Salix Homes, Onward Homes, Great Places Housing Group, ForHousing Irwell Valley Homes, Bupa and Salford CVS to raise £7,500 to provide free three-course meals live entertainment and bingo for local people.
The events titled ‘Five Days of Christmas’ will take place in Salford city council-owned buildings across the city.
The Five Days of Christmas are taking place across the city on the following dates:
- Thursday December 15 - Swinton Gateway
- Friday December 16 - Walkden Gateway
- Monday December 19 - Broughton Hub
- Tuesday December 20 - Pendleton Gateway
- Wednesday December 21 - Eccles Gateway
Coun Bellamy said: “It is absolutely fantastic to help our local residents get in the Christmas spirit and provide them with a nice warm meal and day out.”
She added: “All the people involved in this project are volunteers and are doing all they can to provide a warm welcome for our older residents.”
To book a place for any of the dates contact Coun Bellamy on 07736 005240.
A Go Fund Me page is available for people who wish to donate.
Stockport
The Wellspring
After two years of serving Christmas dinner takeaway-style due to Covid restrictions, The Wellspring is ready to welcome people back. Every year the charity provides a Christmas dinner and gift for the people who are homeless, at risk of losing their home or facing other complex issues.
This Christmas Day its Harvey Street hub will open for breakfast between 8.30am and 9.30am, while dinner will be served from noon. Over the rest of the festive period The Wellspring will be open for breakfast from 8.30am - 9.30am and lunch from 12.30pm - 1.30pm.
There will also be general access to showers, clothes and staff support between 10am – 12pm.
The seasonal celebration has been made possible thanks to those who supported the charity’s Christmas Dinner Appeal. This was built around people helping out with a donation of just five pounds - meaning they didn’t have to make a huge sacrifice in difficult times.
Full details of how to help are here. And information on further support available in Stockport over this festive period can be found here
Trafford
New Testament Church of God is providing free Christmas dinners at 2pm on Christmas Day at its base Upper Chorlton Road, Old Trafford.
People of all faiths - and none - are welcome. The church - near the junction with Stamford Street - is serving halal and veggie meals alongside traditional turkey and Caribbean options
For further details or to reserve a place contact Dawn on 07796202806 or Maria on 07957558381
Bolton
Urban Outreach
There has been an overwhelming response to a hamper appeal by Bolton charity Urban Outreach which means that more than 1,900 families and those living alone will receive a generously stocked Christmas hamper for free.
Items were donated by the public of Bolton over November and the beginning of December with Asda, Astley Bridge, among other supporters, hosting a donation day which made a big contribution.
More than 250 people signed up for sessions to pack the hampers earlier this month with hundreds of hampers containing non-perishable items already sent out. Hampers containing fresh produce will be distributed this week. Around 400 of the hampers were given to people living on their own this Christmas.
