Sense of community with the joy of Christmas

THE Spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Bendigo. Yesterday, 90 volunteers put on a Christmas feast for more than 250 central Victorians at Bendigo Town Hall.The free Christmas lunch is the brainchild of Epicentre United, a non-denominational Christian group that wanted to recapture the spirit of Christmas.Most people enjoy the company of family and friends at this time, but for others it can magnify loneliness and isolation.For the past two years Bendigo’s less fortunate and homeless have enjoyed the free Christmas lunch.For the Theobold family of Lockwood South it is a great experience - and what the holiday is all about. Danielle, partner Trevor and their six kids said it was a fantastic day.“This means everything for us,” Ms Theobold said.“It doesn’t matter where you are from, everyone is equal. It’s the Christmas spirit; it is here and it is happening. This is what it is all about.”Ash Steel, one of the army of organisers, said 260 people registered for the lunch, and a few “walk-ins” usually attended.“Christmas day is a day when some people feel lonely,” Mr Steel said. “So we want them to feel loved and valued, and that they are part of something.