By Marcus Day As he helped out at Saturday's food stall in Court Street, Nelson Steede glanced at the faces of the hungry and saw himself.

Or rather himself as he used to be.

For just four years or so ago he was in a similar queue opposite the Spinning Wheel Night Club, waiting for some Christmas fare.

A coke addict sleeping in the street or an abandoned building, he had been sucked into a seedy Bermudian underworld.

Ambition and hope went no further than getting his next joint.

The first Sunday of January, 1991, however, is etched forever in Mr. Steede's mind as a date which heralded some dramatic changes.

It was the date which saw him rededicate himself to God, and discover the inner strength to alter the course of his life.

Not that he did it alone.

The 45-year-old doffs a hat to Ms Carolyn Armstrong and the Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and their Relatives group (STAR).

"I went to the STAR ministry to volunteer, but I suppose I was really looking for some kind of hand-out,'' he explains with a grin.

Through Ms Armstrong he rediscovered his religious roots.

And as well as working for STAR, he threw his energies into Prison Fellowship, reaching out to inmates at Casemates and its replacement, Westgate.

At the weekend it was Bermuda's street people to whom he reached out.

As a Prison Fellowship volunteer he helped organise the stall with the Hands of Love group.

"Naturally I can identify with the people in the queue, since I've been there myself,'' he says.

"I can see myself among them, and I always say to myself `there but for the grace of God go I'.'' Asked whether he minded The Royal Gazette touching on his former cocaine addiction, he replies: "No, not at all. This is my testimony and I stand by it.

"I got involved in a drug culture because of peer pressure and all other kinds of pressures.'' The faces of many who appeared before him on Saturday also told tales of pressure.

More than 200 people trekked to the stall to tuck into a traditional Christmas meal complete with all the trimmings.

"We are getting more people coming now, although this year has been unusual,'' said Mr. Steede, who works at Pink Beach.

"Normally we get a steady stream of people, but today we had a quick burst and then things kind of tapered off.'' Hands of Love organiser Mrs. Fern Wade said 175 plates were handed out within the first half hour of opening the stall at 12.45 p.m.

"The meal included macaroni and cheese, Spanish rice, Turkey, scallop potatoes, mixed vegetable and all the trimmings.

"The food was donated by different supermarkets and an exempt company.

Individuals also made donations.'' Mrs. Wade said some 10 volunteers helped set up the stall.

One volunteer was Mrs. Andrea Bean who told of the satisfaction she got from reaching out to the needy.

"It's the first time I've been here. I volunteered because I know Sister Wade and I know the work that she does. I love to get involved, and meet people.'' Mrs. Bean explained she attended Faith Tabernacle Church, and felt a religious commitment.

"I am doing this for Jesus.'' One man who walked up to Mrs. Bean told The Royal Gazette he wanted food for his brother and his four-year-old daughter.

"I come every year. Things are hard, man,'' he said.