The Christchurch City Mission is in the final throes of preparing lunch for up to 700 people on Christmas Day.
The annual lunch will be held in a marquee, put up by members of the Crusaders rugby team, on the grounds of Christchurch East School.
City Missioner Michael Gorman says the level of poverty and need in post-quake Christchurch is as great as ever.
He says 520 food parcels were given out on Monday and the Mission is preparing gifts to give to an expected 300 children on Christmas Day.
The Christmas lunch menu will include donated hams and lamb, as well as festive favourites such as pavlova.
