The Christmas Community Lunch is back this year, and Have a Heart and Echo Church have issued an open invitiation to all.

From 12pm on Christmas Day, the doors at the Whakatāne Memorial Hall will be open. A delicious meal will be served, there will be carol singing and presents for the children. The event will finish about 2pm.

Have a Heart Charitable Trust founder Chris Barnard said the lunch was open to anyone in the Eastern Bay seeking some company at Christmas.

There is no need to book; people are encouraged to simply turn up on the day.

“There is a misconception that this lunch is only for the poor or it’s just for the lonely, but it’s for everyone,” he said.

“We are bringing community support and spirit – if you know someone who you think needs to come to this lunch, go with them. Bring your families, friends or neighbours,” Mr Barnard said.

“We are promoting togetherness in our community.”

The menu includes roast pork, roast chicken, ham, and mutton roll as main courses. Salads include beetroot and feta and a green salad, as well as kumara, potatoes and stuffing. There will be steam pudding, custard and fresh berries for dessert.

Echo Church is the main sponsor of the event, working collaboratively with Have a Heart to deliver the lunch.

Last year, 150 people attended and the team are hoping for a bigger turnout this Christmas. The event has previously catered for up to 300 people.

New World, Tui Party Hire, Julians Berry Farm, Whakatāne District Council, the Whakatāne Beacon and the Presbyterian Op Shop have all sponsored the lunch.