A CAFE owner who fed her lonely customers Christmas lunch free-of-charge last year opened her doors to the homeless too.
Marylou's Cafe & Sandwich Bar in Byron Road, Chelmsford, expects a huge turn-out on Christmas Day after staff paraded Moulsham Street inviting street homeless for a meal.
The Salvation Army's Chelmsford branch in Baddow Road, did not hosting a meal this year, allowing charities such as CHESS, Sanctus in Broomfield Road, churches and Marylou's to take the reins.
Owner Marylou Lowe, 29, said: "We went out to Moulsham Street every Saturday evening taking blankets and telling people where the cafe is and what we're doing. Then when we heard Salvation Army were not opening we panicked a little, thinking there's going to be more than what we can handle, but we have lots of food and we'll be there all day."
Marylou fed 16 guests last year when she appealed via the Chronicle for donations after burglars smashed through the door and stole £300 saved for the dinner. This year's dinner included a three-course meal, including roasted turkey, music and a bingo game.
Yet she is short of gifts for the customers to take away and drinks – so locals can still donate.
Speaking before Christmas, Chelmsford Salvation Army Major, minister Mark Sawyer, said the busy charity did not host a lunch because various other venues are following suit, and so it can relieve its hard-working volunteers.
"I now take a step back to let other people do a Christmas lunch because otherwise everyone will come to ours," said Mr Sawyer, whose team delivered 220 Christmas hampers and toys to 100 families this Christmas.
"The volunteers also want time with their families. We rely on volunteers all the time.
"They work their socks off."
