The places in and around Oldham offering a free hot meal for those in need this Christmas

While it may be the most wonderful time of the year for some of us, others this Christmas will be struggling with the cost of living, facing loneliness or even finding themselves without a roof over their head.

With bills soaring, more people than ever are having to decide between heating their home and putting food on the table over the festive season.

But organisations across Greater Manchester will be there to provide free hot meals to make sure people do not go without this festive period.

While some are for people with specific issues, such as those experiencing homelessness, others are keen to welcome anyone of a hot meal and good company.

Here are some of the places in Greater Manchester that are offering free Christmas meals on the big day and over the holidays.

Oldham

UKEFF

The UK Education and Faith Foundation is inviting anyone struggling to buy food or worried about bills to join them for a hot meal on Christmas Day.

The festive ‘Warm Food Hub’ event will take place at Oldham Unitarian Chapel, on Connaught Street.

Places must be booked in advance, as spaces are limited.

Visit: www.ukeff.org/christmas22/ or call 0161 6606818.

Manchester

Cornerstone

Cornerstone, the day centre for homeless people based in Denmark Road, Hulme, will be serving hot food on Christmas Day.

However, it stresses this is only for people experiencing homelessness this festive season.

Doors open at 10am and Christmas dinner is served between noon and 1pm, when the centre closes.

Lifeshare

Lifeshare will be serving three meals a day as part of its week-long Christmas Project between December 23 and 29.

Based at the New Victoria Development, next to Victoria Station, the charity will be welcoming anyone in need of a warm place to spend the day, a hot shower, dry clothes, a fresh meal, or a friendly face. 

The organisation served up more than 2,000 meals last Christmas – and is aiming to double that number this year.

A spokesperson said: “A meal is a simple thing, but the feeling of knowing your community cares about you enough to help keep you fed is nourishing to the soul as well as the body.”

Those who wish to donate a Christmas dinner can do so here: www.givetoday.co.uk/product/christmas-dinner/

The Christmas Project opening times for anyone in need are as follows: Friday, December 23 –  2pm – 8pm
Saturday, December 24 – until and including Thursday 28 December 7.30am – 8pm.
Friday, December 29 7.30am-2pm. 

For more information on the Christmas Project see: www.lifeshare.org.uk

Rochdale

Army of Kindness

Rochdale’s Army of Kindness is to hose its seventh annual Christmas Day meal.

The event will take place at  St Andrew’s Church, Entwistle Road, Rochdale (next to Aldi) between 1pm and 4pm.

For more details contact Sheraz on 07940 470705

Petrus

The homeless charity will be welcoming people for Christmas dinner on the big day – and there will be presents, too.

Doors at the Great George Street hub  will open on December 25 between 11.30am and 2pm.

Around 48 service users are currently expected – but the shelter is happy to welcome more.

Sonia Denham, Head of Petrus, said: “No one should be alone at Christmas, and for a lot of our service users, Petrus is like family.

“Last year, we opened our doors on Christmas Day and cooked Christmas dinner for 27 service users.

"We knew demand would be even higher this year and we’re currently expecting 48 to join us.

"Our hub will be open from 11.30am to 2pm for anyone who needs us.”

Petrus will also be open over the holidays on the following days:

Saturday, December 24 – 9am – 1pm
Sunday, December 25 – 11.30am – 2pm
Monday, December 26 – 9am – 3pm
Tuesday, December 27 – Friday, 30th – 9am – 4pm
Saturday, December 31 – 9am – 1pm

More information can be found here: www.petrus.org.uk/news/our-doors-will-be-open-on-christmas-day-nws-5816

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.