The City of Greater Bendigo has provided almost $31,000 in grants to support local groups to hold free community festive meal events or provide food relief hampers in December.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the festive meal events are aimed at supporting local community connections and inclusion during the festive season.
“The City has provided grants up to $2,000 for organisations to hold events to reflect the significant costs involved in hosting these types of events,” Cr Prince said.
“This year, we’ve been able to fund 18 local groups to deliver meals and hampers in the lead-up to Christmas.
“The grants have made it possible for a range of small, local events to be held across Greater Bendigo rather than one large event taking place in central Bendigo. It also responds to an identified whole-of-municipality gap in food relief at this time of the year.
“The community festive meal events are always well attended and are aimed at helping people meet others in their community and learn more about the work of local groups.
“We are really pleased so many local groups are again hosting events this year as we know that having opportunities to connect with others is very important for community wellbeing, especially at this time of the year.
“The events give local groups a chance to showcase their great work and demonstrate how others can get involved.
“Events like these would not be possible without the support of volunteers. Many of these events are also being supported by the generosity of local businesses, reminding us that it’s important to buy local and support small business wherever we can.
“Anyone can attend these free events taking place in December and I hope lots of people will take up the opportunity to join in.”
There are a range of organisations hosting events in December and interested people should contact the event organiser if they would like to attend for catering purposes.
Festive meal events
Event details
Sunday December 7, 3pm to 5pm
Sedgwick Community Christmas Event
Sedgwick Public Hall, 1 Boyd Lane, Sedgwick
Contact: [email protected]
Event details
Wednesday December 10, 12.30pm to 2pm
Gully Christmas Lunch
Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre - 52-54 Derwent Drive, Long Gully
Contact: 5442 1165
Event details
Wednesday December 10, 10.30am to 3pm
Open Pantry Christmas Hamper Day
East Loddon Foodshare - East Loddon Community House, Dingee Road, Dingee
Contact: 5436 1313
Event details
Thursday December 11, 6pm to 8pm
Café 3:16
Bendigo Baptist Church, Eaglehawk Campus, 10A Parsonage Grove, Eaglehawk
Contact: 0447 818 630
Event details
Saturday December 13, 1pm to 3.30pm
Axedale Festive Community Lunch
Axedale - Our Town Our Future, Axedale Community Garden, 80 McIvor Hwy, Axedale
Contact: 0478 120 152
Event details
Monday December 15 – 22, 8am to 9.30am
MADCOW Christmas Hampers for the Homeless Community
St Pauls Church Hall, 8 Myers St Bendigo
Contact: 0447 103 851
Event details
Monday December 15, 11am to 2pm
Creating Community Connections Christmas Lunch 2025 - event with lunch served at 12pm
Impact Recovery Ltd, Salvation Army Café, 65-71 Mundy St, Bendigo
Contact: 0438 553 772
Event details
Tuesday December 16, 11am to 1pm
Food & Care Christmas luncheon
Eaglehawk Uniting Church, Peg Leg Rd, Eaglehawk
Contact: 0434 769 862
Event details
Friday December 19, 4pm to 8pm
Christmas BBQ and Food hampers
Nepalese in Bendigo, Garden for the Future, 557 Napier St, White Hills
Contact: 0452 657 525
Event details
Sunday December 21, 11am to 3pm
Community Festive Meals program
Y Service Club of Bendigo Inc. Strathdale Community Centre, 155 Crook St, Strathdale
Contact: 0499 800 483
Event details
Monday December 22, 1pm
Bendigo Foodshare Pop-Up Food Pantry
St Pauls Cathedral, Bendigo
Contact: 5444 3409
Event details
Tuesday December 23, 1pm
Bendigo Foodshare Pop-Up Food Pantry
Gateway Park Function Centre, Kangaroo Flat
Contact: 5444 3409
Event details
Thursday December 25, 11am to 2pm
Community Christmas Lunch
The Salvation Army, 65-71 Mundy St, Bendigo
Contact: 5440 8410
Event details
Monday December 29, 1pm
Bendigo Foodshare Pop-Up Food Pantry
St Pauls Cathedral, Bendigo
Contact: 5444 3409
Event details
Tuesday December 30, 1pm
Bendigo Foodshare Pop-Up Food Pantry
California Gully Mechanics Institute, California Gully
Contact: 5444 3409