On Fridays, whenever my schedule permits, I volunteer at a central Oxford charity, called The Gatehouse. The Gatehouse supports Oxford’s homeless community, such as by serving dinners, and providing other free services and activities, like internet access, not only to adults who are homeless, but also anyone vulnerably housed, on low or no income or people simply looking for company and community. It is a ‘drop-in’ community centre next to the Parsonage Church on Woodstock Road. No one is required to prove their need.
Last Friday, December 20th, the Gatehouse had its Christmas dinner, which was – this year – catered by a gentleman at the Oxford City Larder, based at the West Oxford Community Centre, which helps redistribute surplus food to the local community instead of letting it go to landfill or the bin. This kind man worked all day preparing the dinner and kept the dishes hot in about a half-dozen slow cookers. Two of his volunteers brought these dishes to the Gatehouse and I was able to help them serve the customers. We had huge bowls full of chicken and gravy, sausages in bacon, a vegetarian option, brussel sprouts, carrots, broccoli, and potatoes and parsnips. Pudding as well. The three of us – an emigrant from Iraq, from Nigeria, and the US (me) – served over 60 men and women. We ran out of food, so a few had to rely on the normal sandwiches and soup served at the kitchen. But at least 60 enjoyed a special, hot Christmas dinner.
Near the front of the queue, one of the men looked at the cafeteria of food and exclaimed: “WOW!!”
In moments like this you can see and feel the value of these charities and how meaningful they are to the communities they serve. Do volunteer when you can and give what you can to your local charities as well as other good causes.
And Happy Christmas and New Year! Enjoy your Christmas Dinner.
