Dewsbury volunteers to deliver dinners and presents to the vulnerable

Members of the Dewsbury Cares community group have cooked a sit-down Christmas dinner for those in need for the last eight years.

But this year, because of Covid, the sit-down meal is cancelled but Christmas dinner is most certainly not!

Instead of having up to 300 people round tables at Longcauseway Church in Dewsbury, the Christmas meals can be collected or delivered.

Organiser Michelle Hainsworth, who started the group from her kitchen, said there was more demand this year than ever.

“We did hope we would be able to have the meal at the church as usual but with track and trace we just couldn’t make it Covid-secure,” she said.

“So instead over 100 meals will be delivered to the elderly, people who are isolating or those struggling financially.

“We have 10 drivers and a route planned out. Everyone we visit will receive a gift.

“But we won’t just turn up to drop off food. We won’t be going inside people’s homes but we will be stopping to have a chat - and pull Christmas crackers with them through the window.

“Christmas can be a happy time or a sad time and we aim to make sure it’s a happy time for as many people as possible.”

As well as the deliveries, Dewsbury Cares will prepare 100 meals for collection and there will be more where families are given the ingredients to cook for themselves. Food parcels will also be given out.

“We are conscious that Christmas isn’t just one day and we want to make sure people have enough. We don’t want people getting into debt.”

Planning starts in August and it’s all funded through donations. It takes about £2,000 to pay for Christmas.

Michelle wants to thank The Sons of the North cafe from Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, who will cook the meal at Longcauseway Church; the church itself; Kirklees Council; and Dewsbury East councillor Cathy Scott.

Dewsbury Cares has its own shop in Cloth Hall Street, Dewsbury, which is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am-2pm.