Meet the heroes cooking free meals on Christmas Day

December 25 is a day which promises gifts, food and good memories.

But for those facing homelessness, loneliness and financial hardships, Christmas can be a day with no tree, company or even a warm bed to wake up in. 

Thanks to kind-hearted Glasgow charities no one will miss out on the magic of Christmas this year with plenty of places handing out free grub and festive joy on December 25.

Bluevale Community Club

Bluevale Community Club will be offering a traditional three-course meal consisting of prawn cocktail or soup, a turkey dinner and cheesecake or chocolate cake for dessert.

Dinner will be served at around 1.30pm with games and line dancing taking place from 12pm.

Kenny Trainor, project manager at Bluevale Community Centre, said: “It’s all about giving back on Christmas.

“We want to give anyone who is struggling the best Christmas possible.”

For those who cannot attend in-person Bluevale will drop off meals, and pick-up and drop-off those who want to attend but have no way of travelling.

The meal will take place at the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre at 13 Whitevale Street, G31 1QW

To contact Bluevale, click HERE

Drumhub

Drumhub will be handing out a starter, main and dessert to those attending their special Christmas lunch this year. 

Alison Horner, secretary and founder of Drumhub, said: “It is always successful when we host Christmas, it’s a great time.

“The first year we ran the event, a man turned up that none of us had seen before. He thanked us and told us that this was the first time he celebrated Christmas in 25 years.

“You just don’t know how many more people are like that in the city.”

The charity will be putting on some games and hosting a visit from Santa with their meal which will take place at the Drumchapel Baptist Church on Lillyburn Place.

The meal will be served at 2pm, and Drumhub will be pick attendees up and drop them home.

You can contact Drumhub HERE

Lodging Housing Mission

June MacLeod, manager of Lodging Housing Mission (LHM), cannot wait to bring festivities to 35 East Campbell Street in Calton this Christmas.

June said: “It’s just a brilliant day, people come in, we sing a bit and just have lunch together.

“This will be my third Christmas with LHM and it’s the best day. It feels like a community, like those old-fashioned festive movies where everyone is together and eating a nice meal.

“I just love and my daughter who volunteers with us often says ‘this is what Christmas is all about.”

The meal will be served at 12pm, with doors opening at 11.30am.

Attendees will receive a bag full of ‘surprise’ presents and no doubt, a fantastic day of festive joy.

Contact LHM HERE

Homeless Project Scotland

Homeless Project Scotland (HPS) will be serving the traditional turkey meal as well as a nut roast for any vegetarian attendees at their Christmas meal this year. 

Attendees will also receive a starter and dessert – and food will be served between the hours of 1pm and 10pm.

Charity boss Colin McInnes said: “People will be getting some selection boxes and gifts on the day, and we’ll be ending the night with a little festive disco and some karaoke.

“This is our second year doing this and it’s just always so good to see a smile on people’s faces.”

The meal will take place at McChuills in the High Street.

You can contact HPS HERE

Social Bite

Social Bite will also be handing out a traditional Christmas meal between 11am and 4pm at their hub on Sauchiehall Street.

Social Bite’s communication manager said: “Christmas is a special time of the year, but we are extra aware that not everyone has a good association with the festive period.

“It’s nice for us to be able to include people and provide them with not just food and drink, but time to socialise with others."

Contact Social Bite HERE