The St Clair Bowling Club Christmas lunch has been going since 2018.
The dinner was started by Sandra and Trevor Mason, whose property was near the club.
Mrs Reed bought their house and took over organising the lunch in 2020, and says it has been a humbling experience.
"It’s a privilege to be able to support the community."
With the support of 40 volunteers over two days, more than 50 people would be fed. The maximum number that could be catered for was 100.
Mrs Reed said the target audience for the event was elderly people who might be feeling lonely, but families were also welcome.
Loneliness was increasing, according to a University of Auckland study, which showed 24% of people over the age of 65 lived alone, and 28% of those over the age of 85 experienced feelings of loneliness.
Events such as the St Clair lunch drew wide support — Mrs Reed said all the food was donated and people gave generously of their time.
St Bernadette’s School pupils wrapped more than 100 donated presents to be given out on the day, each accompanied with hand-written Christmas cards.
The free lunch would not be the only place in Dunedin where people can find a meal and company on Christmas Day.
Caversham Bowling Club, known for its $4 meals, is hosting a free morning tea from 9am to noon.
Co-founder Jackie Bannon said they wanted to provide "a place to hang out and have fun". Tea, coffee and sweet treats were on the menu.
The annual Christmas dinner at the Dunedin Town Hall is going ahead, despite the death in July of previous organiser Anne Hardy.
The event is run by the charity Acts of Kindness, which says on its website about 500 guests are expected to attend.
— Rafael Clarke
