(ANS – Turin) – The fifth “Christmas Lunch with the poor” and the needy took place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, starting at 12:30 pm, in the San Domenico Savio hall at the Salesian premises in Valdocco. The lunch was promoted by the Caritas – Maria Ausiliatrice volunteer group, which currently has more than 40 volunteers, twenty of whom led the initiative in question.

The meeting was attended by about a hundred people in difficulty from the city of Turin, many of whom are usually welcomed at the Monday evening canteen that the group organizes in the city center.

“It was a moment of conviviality designed to offer not only a hot meal, but above all an opportunity for meeting, listening and fraternity in view of Christmas,” shared one of the volunteers from Caritas – Maria Ausiliatrice.

As is the case every year, so that the Caritas – Maria Ausiliatrice volunteers could sit at the table with the guests and strengthen the relationships built during the year, a different group was involved in serving lunch. This year the service was entrusted to the novices of the Salesian Congregation currently in formation at Colle Don Bosco. The twenty young people, accompanied by six professed Salesians, enthusiastically looked after table service and musical entertainment, helping to create a festive and family atmosphere in the spirit of Don Bosco.

The lunch, which was particularly rich and carefully prepared to offer all the diners a moment of celebration and feasting, was also made possible thanks to the valuable support of various local businesses – the Quadrilatero Romano restaurant in Turin and the Caseificio Longo restaurant in Rivarolo Canavese – and various benefactors, all duly thanked for their generosity and support.

The lunch ended with the exchange of greetings among all those present, and all guests were given a small Christmas present.

As a testimony to the closeness of the diocesan Church, the Auxiliary Bishop of Turin, Alessandro Giraudo, was also present. He blessed the table and brought greetings from Cardinal Roberto Repole. The Provincial of the Salesians of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, Fr Leonardo Mancini, and the Rector of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Fr Michele Viviano, also attended the lunch, confirming the attention and support of the Salesian Family towards the most fragile people.

With this festive lunch, the Caritas – Maria Ausiliatrice group renewed its commitment in favor of the poorest, certain that simple gestures of sharing can kindle hope among all and build more solidarity and fraternal communities.