A free five-course dinner, artists and Santa Claus. It is the ultimate Christmas spirit; Two thousand people for whom it is not self-evident for financial reasons or because they are lonely, are now being spoiled to the fullest. The former stock exchange building in Eindhoven was transformed into a Christmas paradise especially for them on Tuesday and Wednesday. “Beautiful! Not normal,” says 65-year-old Jan van Haaren.
“I don’t need to go hungry, but I do have to think about what I spend,” Jan continues. “I can still knit it round. But due to health problems I had to stop working earlier. That is why I now have lower income.”
The luxurious meal and a day without worries are more than welcome. “This is beautiful! How is it possible?”, Jan continues. And then go wild on the song Piano Man by Billy Joel, played by a live band. “It’s for everyone here.”
Explosive
And so every visitor on Tuesday has their own story. “An explosive went off on our corner,” says 75-year-old Marjan Keijsers. She is referring to a huge explosion in a house on Hefveld in Eindhoven that injured three people in October. “Our house is also broken,” says the local resident.
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“We have had a lot of misery,” Marjan continues. A day of distraction is also welcome for her. “It’s great fun! We deserve this.”
‘Not alone’
“You now see that you are not alone. Many people would not be able to cope otherwise,” says 39-year-old Maike. “It is very nice for me to be able to get together with so many people. I can now also give my children a fun day.”
The event is organized by Hugo van Rooij. The Eindhoven resident has been selflessly helping the homeless for years. With his (Z)onderdak foundation, the benefactor has been helping people who are in difficulties due to poverty or homelessness for about 15 years.
‘touches me’
“A woman told me that she has nothing for Christmas. Only this dinner and that touched me,” says Hugo. Last year 750 people had this experience, now many more. The money mainly comes from sponsors.
In addition to the dinner, participants will also receive a gift bag containing a package of nuts, a book voucher and a voucher for the Muziekgebouw Eindhoven.
