The fundraiser was in support of Bendigo Foodshare and saw more than 40 hospitality businesses take part.

Bendigo Foodshare manager Bridget Bentley said as well as people offering donations while picking up their meal, the organisation's website had seen extra donations.

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"We've had a lot of donations through to the website which is great and have seen some businesses offer matching donations," she said. "The spirit has been fun and positive.

"One of the best things about it has been pulling a community event together even with all the change and uncertainty in last few weeks. That's really positive.

"Fundraising, just like operating a business during the pandemic, was really uncertain. We did have target of 30 businesses participating and we exceeded that. Hopefully, we can do it again and bigger better."

Maiden Gully Cafe owner Julie Baird said she has always support Bendigo Foodshare.

"We try and support when can, even thought we're only a little business," she said.

"As we took orders, some people said add (a donation) on and a lot were keen to put change in the tin.

"It's a way of giving back to community and helping those not as fortunate as we are."

Mick's Fresh Fish & Takeaway owner Mick Kimpton said the community support for businesses had been great through the pandemic.

"This whole situation is not over yet and a lot people are going to need support," he said. "When the government support stops, it will be crunch time.

"When (the pandemic) first happened, we took a pretty hard hit but held it together and kept it going. We did a lot of hard hours and got there in end. The community support for businesses. We have had a lot of new faces through the door.

"We have been open all way through and that's good as a mental thing. I'd hate to be going through this at home and not being able to go any where."

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Mr Kimpton donated two dinner vouchers to be given to two worthy recipients - Landcare volunteers Adrian and Heidi Martins and foster parents Rebekah and Leigh Stevens.

Mr Martins said he had no idea he had been nominated.

"I just do what I do," he said. "I have been part of Landcare for a long time with Axe Creek and we been busy last two years delivering a lot of projects out there.

"We hope, if we can get through this period sooner rather than later, to get some normality back, get people back to the regions and spending money in cafes and takeaway places like this. It all helps."

For more visit https://bendigofoodshare.org.au