Bendigo's community Christmas lunch in doubt

BENDIGO, we need your help.Christmas is less than three weeks away and many people have nowhere to go or no loved ones to share a festive lunch with.But a group of Bendigo organisations have pulled together in the final hour to host a Christmas feast at the town hall for those who are homeless or less fortunate – and we need your help to do it. In recent years, the Christian organisation Epicentre Bendigo has staged a beautiful community lunch, but could not continue this year. When it came to the attention of several Bendigo agencies this week, they acted quickly.Group spokeswoman the Reverend Tracey Wolsley yesterday praised the efforts of Epicentre, and urged the people of Bendigo not to let such a special event fall away. “Epicentre has done a sensational job organising a community Christmas lunch in Bendigo over the past four years,’’ she said.“This year they weren’t able to but with their support the broader community has rallied together to ensure this important event will continue and the town hall will again be filled with the spirit of Christmas on the 25th of December. “We have such an amazing community, anything is possible when we work together,” Ms Wolsley said. Already, VicRelief Foodbank, Sandhurst Venue Management, Uniting Care, the Salvation Army, YMCA, Rotary, Lions, Victoria Police and the Bendigo Advertiser have offered their services and the City of Greater Bendigo has kicked off cash donations with $2000.But the event will cost more than $8000 and for it to go ahead, there is much to do.Along with cash donations, the group is hoping for donations of gifts, services, entertainment and Christmas goods such as bon bons and decorations.Volunteers are also needed in the lead-up and on the day.If you would like to register as a guest for lunch or donate your time, money, goods or services, phone 0458 962 371.