'Nobody should go hungry at Christmas': 400 festive dinners to be delivered by team of Northampton organisations

A Northampton pub landlady turned charity founder has teamed up with a number of other organisations and businesses to deliver hot Christmas dinners and hampers to those in the community who need support.

Teresa McCarthy-Dixon has run the Swan and Helmet in Grove Road for 14 years and has, this year, used the venue as a community larder to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.The landlady has also organised home renovations, anti-loneliness groups and more throughout the year, so decided to set up her charity - The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation.

Now the foundation has teamed up with a number of other organisations and businesses to make sure as many people as possible have a Christmas dinner this year.

Teresa said: “Being hungry is terrible any time of the year, but it’s worse at this time of the year. Nobody should go hungry at Christmas.

“It’s an expensive time of year for families and they do feel the pressure of getting dinner on the table for the family.

“Our aim is to make sure nobody in Northamptonshire goes without a Christmas dinner this year.

“We want to bring the magic of Christmas to those who are struggling.”

With the help of The Community Courtyard, The Shamrock Club, The Umbrella Fair, Bite Street and Smoke Pit, Teresa is raising money to make sure she can feed as many people as possible this Christmas.

Teresa’s aim is to cook around 400 dinners, which will be delivered on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

She is also hoping to create 250 Christmas hampers including ingredients such turkey or gammon and pigs and blankets to make a festive dinner.

Some of the dinners and hampers will also be set aside to help families at some of the 48 schools the McCarthy-Dixon Foundation currently supports.

Teresa is well on her way to being able to provide hundreds of meals, however she still needs support from the public to make sure nobody goes hungry this Christmas.

She added: “Any donation you are able to make to allow us to bring the magic into the homes of as many people who need it as possible, will be very much appreciated.”

To donate, visit the foundation’s Crowdfunder here.

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