While Christmas is a time for joy, connection and community – for many it can feel isolating.
But over recent years a local catering business and social club have teamed up to ensure no one has to spend Christmas Day alone by hosting a festive dinner with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, delicious food and the spirit of togetherness.
Once again Christmas meals will be provided to around 40 people in East Belfast who will be spending December 25 alone this year but sadly the organisers have had to slash the number by half this year due to budget cuts.
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Local man Wayne Black, who is behind Seventy catering company and SixtyNine Burgers and Filth on the Belmont Road, told us: "We have been running a community Christmas Day dinner in association with Dundela Social Club over the past few years. It's all been the brainchild of Dundela Social Club and then we help by providing the catering.
"It's a three course meal that was partially government funded and catered for the elderly, people on their own, those not capable of cooking themselves etc. Now sadly the funding has been pulled so we've been left to fund it ourselves along with the club. Unfortunately that means we have to halve the numbers this year."
Wayne added: "Normally we would be looking after upwards of 100 people for Christmas Day but realistically because it's not going to be supplemented this year we'd only be able to manage around 40.
"With this happening and the cut to winter fuel payments for so many pensioners, they are finding this year particularly tough. We're noticing a lot of people coming into the social club more often just for a bit of company and heat, which is the sad reality.
"We're also going to prepare Christmas dinners at SixtyNine for people to pick up on December 24th that can be heated up the next day. It's our small way of giving back at this time of year which can be hard for many.
"We know Christmas is traditionally a time of the year where people get together with loved ones but unfortunately for some, the festive season can cause a lot of grief and loneliness. We feel it's the right thing to do to support those who find this time of year hard."
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English (United States) ·