For many Christmas day is a time for good-cheer with family and friends, but for others it’s a time when they’re alone, and even hungry.
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When Matthew Rowlands realised last week that there wasn’t a lot on in Bendigo for people like this, he decided to do something about it.
So, he’s planned to throw a community Christmas lunch.
Young, old, hungry, or full, Mr Rowlands is keen to see anyone in the community come down to Lake Weeroona for a kick of the footy, a sausage and some salad.
The response from the Bendigo community has been overwhelming. Several business and countless individuals have jumped on board with offers of food or help.
“It’s just gone absolutely crazy, people have just grabbed it and really run with it,” Mr Rowlands said.
“So it’s going to be a lot bigger than I originally planned it.”
Mr Rowlands has been alone on Christmas day before, and he knows it’s not great. It sucks even more that some people have to go hungry, he said.
He’s hoping that the community lunch will give everyone a chance to hang out, have fun, and enjoy themselves.
“It should be just a fun time, I really want everyone just to come down and hang out with each other and just have a good Christmas,” Mr Rowlands said.
Donation tins will be available at Meats on Mitchell, where Mr Rowlands will buy meat on Monday.
Donations can be dropped off between 3 and 5pm at Central Milk Supplies, 14 Alstonvale Court on Monday December 24. Please list all ingredients on home made food.
The event will begin at 10am at Lake Weeroona on December 25, with food being distributed from 10.45.
For more information contact Matthew Rowlands at bendigosbignightout@gmail.com
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