Turkey, ham, and the usual trimmings -- he had been looking forward to it for weeks.

"All I want now is a happy 1993. To stay healthy, get a job, and find a place of my own,'' he said.

Frank's New Year wish no doubt had an echo among the 150 other people to emerge from the Booth Memorial Hall on Monday night.

The group had just enjoyed the Salvation Army's traditional slap-up Christmas meal for the needy.

For father-of-two Frank it was the first time he had taken advantage of it.

He had not needed to before -- it was only a year ago he lost his labouring job.

And as the recession bit deep, he eventually turned to the Salvation Army just to keep a roof over his head.

Many of the other faces at the hall were, perhaps, more familiar to Salvation Army staff.

Some had been coming to the Christmas banquet for several years.

To them, Salvation Army administrator Capt. Max Barrett, who handed them all a Christmas present as they filed out, is a hero.

"He has the greatest heart in Bermuda, I want you to know that,'' said Mr.

Sinclair Usher, one of the grateful army.

Capt. Barrett returned the compliment, beaming: "These are all my family.'' He added: "It really makes it all worthwhile when you receive such gratitude.'' For Capt. Barrett the occasion -- with the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, and Sen. Norma Astwood among VIP guests -- had been another big success.

The format is always the same -- great food, interspersed with singing and prayers.

Capt. Barrett praised the Henry VIII restaurant for cooking the meal, and the army of volunteer helpers, including bank staff and Addiction Services. There was also a special thank you for Mr. Simon Rennick -- the Southampton man behind the Christmas gifts, who had organised a collection of T-shirts, sweaters, and clothing, which were then wrapped in festive paper.

During the evening, the hall lights were switched off as everyone sang Silent Night.

For Frank and his pals inside, the hope is 1993 will come with a ray of light.