Places in Coventry offering free hot meals and food parcels this Christmas

[dutchman]

Volunteers across Coventry charities will be helping out to provide hot food and parcels for those who need it most this Christmas



Christmas might be the most magical and wonderful time for many, but this year with the cost-of-living crisis, many will find it tough - especially those experiencing homelessness. Many people without a home are often excluded from the festivities and left alone on the streets.

However, some charities in Coventry are offering free food and festive cheer for people within the community on Christmas Day. Many volunteers will give up their Christmas Day to help the needy and vulnerable have a hot meal, and refreshments, as well as give out donations and gifts for people to give away.

Here are some places that we know that are offering free Christmas meals and food parcels on Christmas Day.

Coventry Open Christmas

Coventry Open Christmas is a voluntary organisation run by the 'Gub & Gab club' which offers emergency food and shelter for the lonely and homeless at Christmas. They will be open for 24 hours from December 23 to December 29 at their Christmas shelter at Queens Road Baptist Church in the city centre. The service will run from 9:30am on December 23 until 10am on December 29.

They will be offering free hot meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, emergency food parcels, emergency overnight sleeping to the homeless or anyone in need, as well as entertainment each night such as bingo with prizes and be a safe space for people to attend to have a sense of companionship during the festive season.

Coventry Cyrenians

Coventry Cyrenians have been helping the homeless and vulnerable for 50 years, providing free Christmas Day meals for more than 30 years. The charity has launched a Golden Winter Appeal to mark its 50th anniversary to raise money to provide shelter and support for those who need it most.

The money raised will be used to provide a hot meal, gifts to take away and live entertainment hosted by volunteers at Methodist Central Hall on Christmas Day which will be held from 9am-3pm.

Coventry Foodbank

Coventry Foodbank will close from 3pm on Friday, December 22 to 10am on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, however, those who need an emergency food parcel can be collected from the various fire stations in the city each day from 10am-12:30pm.

• Coventry Fire Station - Radford Road, CV1 4EL
  
• Foleshill Fire Station - Foleshill Road, CV6 5HN
  
• Binley Fire Station - Hipswell Highway, CV2 5FQ
  
• Canley Fire Station - Sir Henry Parks Road, CV4 7BA

This year, there is a limit of 2 parcel items per household, and for those who need one, ID needs to be shown.

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Prakash

The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Prakash on Foleshill Road is the first and oldest Gurdwara in Coventry. It serves langar meals not just for Christmas, but every day for those who attend. Sikhs believe that their community kitchen must serve all visitors regardless of caste, religion, ethnicity, gender or economic status.

Langar is made by volunteers at the gurdwara which is vegetarian and served during opening hours which is free for all, so if you are struggling to put food on the table this Christmas, you can attend. Heads must be covered with a scarf or bandana upon entry and shoes removed but you cannot enter if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or tobacco.