ONE of the original founders of Bendigo's annual Christmas Day community lunch says the initiative is a huge source of joy for people in need.
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Steve Emonson said the Bendigo Baptist Church, along with volunteers from local churches, formed the event in 2005.
"It was birthed out of an early morning prayer meeting in the city once a week," he said.
"We would go and pray for the city and, in about October, our head guy suggested the idea of a community Christmas in town on Christmas Day for people who are alone or who Christmas is a bit of a struggle for.
"It was something that resignated with us as a really great thing to do for the city."
Mr Emonson said there were initial concerns about finding enough volunteers to give up their Christmas Day festivities but they were overwhelmed with support.
"The idea was suggested October 2005 so they only had a couple of months to get it off the ground," he said.
"It was just at the town hall that year because, in the fourth year, we went to two campuses - the town hall and Salvation Army - and served 300.
"Over the years it has grown and it grew beyond us - we ran it for four years and for us the original idea was Christmas Day."
Mr Emonson said organisers were surprised by people's community spirit.
"For those who were involved it was hard to do it on Christmas Day but they said it was such a huge blessing," he said.
"I remember every year shedding a tear of joy on Christmas Day just watching it and being involved in it.
"We had to turn away volunteers because we had too many, which was very hard to do.
"Otherwise it would have just overrun the guests - there wouldn't be enough for people to do.
"It just gathered so much momentum ... Obviously it is a huge blessing on Christmas Day. The joy on the day was indescribable and, I guess, sadly you'll miss some of that (with the lunch) not on Christmas Day.
"But having said that, it will still be a blessing whenever you have it."
