Hundreds of people got a hot meal and warm clothing at a Christmas charity event in Hamilton last night.

Crowds packed St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church hall for the Grateful Bread event, including dozens of volunteers happy to lend a hand.

One guest, who asked not to be named, said events like the Grateful Bread meals were crucial for many people.

He said: “It can be very difficult to make ends meet, put food on the table and there are a lot of people trying to make the best of it.

“This means I don’t have to worry about groceries for a night and I can get a shirt for job interviews, so hopefully next year I will be on the other side of the table.

“These folks are angels. All of them, angels.”

A woman, who identified herself as Denise, added: “It means a lot to have a little kindness this time of year.

“Christmas can be a hard time, but you put a smile on your face anyway. It’s a lot easier when you have a nice plate of food.”

Juliana Snelling, a lawyer and one of the event’s founders, said: “Watching this grow is just the most spiritually rewarding feeling that anyone can have.

“More and more people hear about it, more and more people read the articles and say they want to participate and give back.”

Damon Hollis, of the Bermuda Police, organised and economic crime unit, said a dozen members of the team volunteered to help.

Mr Hollis said: “It’s the majority of our office.

“This year, we were looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

“We sussed it out, we saw a need and said we could help.”

He added: “For us, unfortunately, we often see the other side of the community. This is an opportunity for us to help the community that we serve, not just in law and order, but also out of the goodness of our hearts.”

Augustina Raynor, a first-time volunteer at the event, said she wanted to help people less fortunate than herself.

She said: “I was told last year there were hundreds of people, so I am expecting a big turnout.

“People are in need. People are working poor. They are working jobs, but still have to come out and ask for used clothing and food to survive because it’s hard to survive in Bermuda.

“This is about giving back and showing love to everybody. We are all the same.”

Judith Gardner, the minister of St Andrew’s, said she was pleased at how the event has grown over the years.

She said: “Many of us have been blessed with so many things we can’t even imagine or tell and we have a desire to give back because there are people who are struggling, who are having hard times.

“This is not just about feeding their physical being, but also about feeding their souls and minds and filling up their hearts with our love.”

The Functions Band entertained the guests with a range of Christmas music.

Band members Gareth Cooper, Clark Jeffrey and Sam Webel said it was important to play a part in the event.

Mr Webel said: “One of our friends from school, Ryan, had done it in previous years and we thought such an event would be a great opportunity to give back to the community.”