The 27th annual community Christmas lunch will feed up 500 people
A team of 120 volunteers are busy preparing this year’s Cairns Community Christmas lunch which will feed up to 500 people on Christmas day.
Cairns
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A team of 120 volunteers are preparing this year’s Cairns community Christmas lunch which will feed up to 500 people, and are desperate for donations.
Cairns Community Christmas Lunch president David Lennie said the event, running for seven years, provided guests in need with top quality food and connection.
“The event isn’t to just provide food, but also companionship and a bit of Christmas cheer,” Mr Lennie said.
“The meals are completely free ... there’s no preaching, no strings attached, we don’t have people taking photographs ... we hope that by actually providing this service on Christmas Day, we can alleviate a little bit of pressure on families and individuals.”
Mr Lennie first volunteered seven years ago after he moved to Cairns from Brisbane.
“(I volunteered) for the exact reason that this is founded for, which is because we provide a free Christmas Day lunch for people who may have nowhere else to go on Christmas Day.”
The event was created by Bryan Edmonds and his wife Lisa 27 years ago in the Blue Mountains.
After moving to Cairns to retire the couple decided to carry on the tradition but Mr Edmonds died three years ago.
Despite his death, Mr Edmonds legacy is continued through the amazing work of his charity.
The event will be held at St Augustine’s Catholic College on Christmas Day from 11.30am.
Mr Lennie encouraged people to donate presents at the WholeLife Healthfoods Market at Cairns Central.
“Imagine 20 of your family turning up to Christmas day lunch and half of them being kids, what would you buy?” Mr Lennie said.
Originally published as The 27th annual community Christmas lunch will feed up 500 people
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