VOLUNTEERS in East Oxford will gather on Christmas Day to provide lunch for rough sleepers before a screening of the movie Home Alone.
Oxford Homeless Project, which last month celebrated its fourth birthday, is organising the lunch at East Oxford Community Centre from 1pm to 5pm.
Headington resident Shabnam Sabir launched the project after giving out dishes to the city’s homeless during Ramadan, the annual month of fasting observed by Muslims.
It now provides a fortnightly lunch on Mondays at the Asian Cultural Centre, off Manzil Way.
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In previous years it has offered a meal in the run-up to Christmas but this year there will also be one on the day itself.
Ms Sabir said: “We are so so pleased to announce this year the Oxford Homeless Project Team will be organising a special Christmas meal for our friends in need on Christmas Day itself.
“Usually there are a couple of events in Cowley but we discovered this year they weren’t any taking place.
“One of our key volunteers Keith Hamilton said he was happy to take the lead to help organise the day since we wouldn’t know where to begin with a proper Christmas dinner!”
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Ms Sabir thanked Mr Hamilton and fellow volunteer Claire Packham for taking a lead role in organising the meal.
She added that there would be about 30 volunteers on the day and up to 70 guests.
Ms Sabir said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone that has been in touch to say they would like to donate, volunteer or do some cooking for us.
“We are so proud of the generosity and compassion in the communities of Oxford who always reach out to help our friends in need.
“Speaking to some of our Monday meal guests we discussed how Christmas is particularly difficult for a lot of them.
"Many of them told us they spend the day just wandering the streets and can’t wait for it to be over.
"That made us decide immediately we can’t let this happen.
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"For many Christmas is a day of celebration with family and friends. It’s a day of feasting and giving gifts.
"This year we plan to make sure this day is extra special for all of our guests too.”
The community organiser added that the lunch would be followed by the Macaulay Culkin movie Home Alone.
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