Christmas Day Meals for the Community
School catering staff supporting those struggling with cost of living
The kitchen team at Sound Primary School were aware that there were families in the school who were struggling financially. Throughout 2022, the team wondered if there was anything more that they could do to help, and came up with the idea of providing a Christmas dinner on Christmas day for any families who needed one. Funding was secured from the Scottish Government’s COVID Economic Recovery Fund in order to buy the food.
The team felt that taking away the pressure of buying and preparing food could be a big help. Meals were to be delivered to individual households, rather than in community settings, as evidence suggested that there may be some people who do not want to be seen asking for help. Initially, the three Lerwick schools and the Anchor for Families Team helped identify families who may benefit and passed on information to them.
It was challenging to get people to come forward and community partnerships were crucial in identifying those who may benefit. After getting several families signed up, it became clear that there was capacity to do much more, so colleagues in Shetland Islands Council (SIC) social care, housing, Shetland Womens Aid and Voluntary Action Shetland were asked if they had anyone who may benefit. The offer was also put out on social media where the feedback was very encouraging. After seeing the advert there were donations of a turkey and a joint of beef from two local butchers to help with the effort, as well as many offers of volunteers to help on the day. SIC colleagues in the roads department provided a 4 x 4 vehicle in case of bad weather, and a community group who provide dinners were also helpful in giving advice.
On Christmas Day, the team and volunteers arrived to cook and warm up the food and portion it up ahead of delivering. Every person who received a Christmas dinner was really appreciative and many said that they would make the food last them for a few days. The ‘on the door’ feedback was ‘hugely humbling’ and made the team appreciate everything they have a little bit more. One of the volunteers said that it was ‘the most rewarding Christmas that they could remember’.
This initiative contributes to our ‘People’ and ‘Money’ priorities. Christmas can be a hard time of year for families, and there had also been a large jump in price of power. The team felt that if they could deliver the meals hot, it would save a lot of concerns for people in terms of buying the food and heating it up, and help people feel connected to their communities.