A beloved Tonbridge tradition, which offers a warm Christmas Day lunch to local residents who might otherwise be alone, is urgently seeking a volunteer chef to ensure it can go ahead this year.
Margaret Bull, a dedicated local resident, has organised the community event at Tonbridge Baptist Church for over two decades. She stresses that the whole initiative “can’t happen without a cook.”
The church has provided a vital, subsidised meal for anyone in the area who would be alone on December 25th since 2003.
A Passion for People Not Being Lonely
Last year, 84 people were welcomed to the festive three-course meal, though capacity has reached up to 92 guests in previous years. The success and consistency of the event highlight its importance to the local social calendar.
Chef and Volunteers Needed Now
Ms. Bull is appealing for a new chef for this year’s celebration after the volunteer recruited from last year’s campaign became unavailable.
She is specifically looking for a cook who could also ideally call into the church on Christmas Eve to see the set-up. The church also specifies that volunteers, including the chef, should have relevant catering certification and their own means of transport on Christmas Day.
In addition to a chef, Ms. Bull needs to recruit about 15 volunteers to help the day run smoothly.
Meals, Gifts, and Community Spirit
Tickets for the £15 three-course meal will go on sale as soon as a cook is secured, meaning the search is a priority.
Beyond the lunch itself, Ms. Bull organises the donation of gifts, which are distributed to guests on the day. “The gifts are donated – we always have more gifts than people,” she noted.
Reflecting on why she continues this massive effort after 22 years, Ms. Bull highlighted the spirit of the event: “Everybody loves coming, everybody loves to help. It’s really amazing how it all works each year to be honest.”
This crucial Tonbridge community effort requires immediate support. If you have the catering skills and Christmas spirit to help, please contact Margaret Bull or Tonbridge Baptist Church to offer your services.
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