A Christmas in the name of solidarity and sharing arrives in Italian prisons thanks to the 11th edition of the “Christmas Lunches: L'ALTrA Cucina… for a Lunch of Love”, an initiative promoted by Prison Fellowship Italia Onlus, Renewal in the Holy Spirit e RnS Alliance Foundation, Under the patronage of Ministry of Justice.
Thursday 19th December, 1.500 volunteers will enter 44 penitentiary institutions to serve a special lunch at about 8.000 inmates, many of whom will share the day with their families. The event will see the participation of 46 starred chefs and haute cuisine chefs from all over Italy, accompanied by numerous well-known faces from the world of entertainment, journalism and sport.
The inmates of the prisons of Milan Opera, Rome Rebibbia, Naples Secondigliano, Palermo and Cagliari Uta, just to name a few, will experience this extraordinary experience first-hand. The entire lunch will be masterfully prepared by nationally renowned chefs and the mise en place, taken care of down to the smallest details, will see the active participation of the inmates who, with the support of the associations, will also create the centerpieces.
Artists and athletes support the initiative
The day will be enriched by the presence of famous people such as Paola Perego, Serena Bortone, Angela Missoni, DJ Ringo, Panceri cat, and former footballers Giuseppe Giannini e Nicola Legrottaglie. Even comedians and actors like Nut, Michelle Giraud e Mino Abbacuccio will help create a festive atmosphere, bringing warmth and joy in an often difficult context.
The volunteers, together with the artists, will serve over 25.000 dishes prepared with care and dedication. “This event represents much more than a simple lunch: it is a gesture of closeness and humanity towards those who live in conditions of marginalization,” he declared Mark Pumpkin, responsible for the initiative.
The presentation press conference will be held on Wednesday 18th December at 11.00 am at the Hall of the Fallen of Nassiriya of the Senate of the Republic, to tell the story of a project that, year after year, continues to bring hope and inclusion within Italian prison walls.
Article published on 3 December 2024 - 19:19
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The Christmas Lunch event is very important for the inmates. It is nice that there are volunteers and chefs who are committed to making this day special, even if prisons are difficult places.
I hope this initiative can bring some joy to those in prison. Christmas lunches are important moments and can help you feel less alone even if you are serving a sentence.
It's a very nice idea to bring Christmas into prisons. People deserve to feel part of the community, even in a difficult context like prison.