Volunteers are busy setting glasses and tablecloths at the Dunedin Town Hall for the Dunedin Community Christmas Dinner.
The event can cater for 520 diners and targets people who, for whatever reason, would be otherwise alone at Christmas.
More than 300 people had pre-booked, and organisers advised others to do the same if they would like to attend.
It is organised by the Acts of Kindness Community Trust.
Co-organiser Grant Hardy said it could potentially have more guests than usual as Mosgiel’s 110-person equivalent was not running this year.
This comes after the closure of the Mosgiel Memorial RSA.
However, numbers were all down to the day, he said.
‘‘Honestly, it just depends on the weather sometimes. If it’s raining, some people won’t come as they have to walk.’’
There was also the issue that public transport did not run on Christmas day, although they were trying to sort a solution with the Salvation Army in Mosgiel.
The point of the event was simply ‘‘being nice to people’’, he said.
‘‘We put a lot of effort into the day being nice. Even nicer than at your own home.’’
Food on offer included rolled and stuffed hogget, roast pork and gluten-free vegetarian lasagne with sides of peas, potatoes and honey glazed carrots.
For dessert they would have plum pudding with custard, cream and fruit salad, as well as pavlova.
Social agencies helped by referring people.
‘‘The idea is not to break up families, it’s to keep people together. To be loving and welcoming, that’s really what it comes down to. ’’
Mr Hardy said he wanted to thank businesses which generously donated items, such as Clinton’s Hazeldale Farms which supplied hogget, and Alsco, which provided 52 linen tablecloths and 520 napkins.
