Hearty homemade soup, fresh bread, delicious sweet treats, and warm hearts are all being served on Christmas Day for a second time by the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee.

No one should have to eat alone on Christmas Day. With this in mind, the free soup lunch goes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 25 at the Cochrane Alliance Church.

There will also be small gift bags for children, which have been donated from local community organizations.

Fleeha Ahmad, of Rocky View Immigrant Services, says all are welcome.

"It's basically for everyone to come. If you have nowhere to go, you're welcome, and even if you do, you're also welcome."

"It's a very commercialized holiday, so when someone is alone, or they're new to the country, or they have no families or friends here, they feel extra lonely."

Ahmad lives in Calgary and brought her family last year. She's glad she did.

"I was just smiling because I was feeling so happy. It was the energy in the room. It was just so beautiful."

The community has overwhelmingly embraced the gathering.

"It was supposed to be a basic soup, a little music, a little mingle, jingle, but it turned out to be almost like a feast, and it was all because of the community gifts."

It's not a requirement, but if you wish to RSVP phone 587-580-9448.