Community food relief charities are cancelling sit-down Christmas lunches this year in favour of hamper programs to protect vulnerable Australians from coronavirus.

Festive joy will be delivered in a basket with more than 70 per cent of surveyed charities saying in October it was unlikely they would host a festive feast in 2020.

The Feed Appeal survey revealed most frontline food relief organisations are expecting the holiday period to bring a 10-30 per cent increase in demand for food hampers or take-home festive meals.

The move comes as foodbanks and community pantries experience a 47 per cent increase in demand for food assistance this year. New faces seeking help include single parents, international students, temporary visa holders, the ill, women and children seeking refuge in shelters, the homeless, and families in which mum or dad have lost work or been forced to close a business.

Reservoir Neighbourhood House community development officer Lia Caelli said she was still hopeful of having a sitdown Christmas lunch or BBQ outside but said changing coronavirus restrictions had made it impossible to consider before now.

“It has been totally up in the air. It is the worst feeling thinking we may not be able to have a face-to-face event because so many will miss the joy of coming together at Christmas,” she said.

Ms Caelli said the Melbourne charity planned to hand out 80 festive hampers, with Uber offering a free delivery service to those unable to pick them up.
“We put things aside to make them a bit special such as cake and custard, chocolates and savouries. We like each hamper to have nibbles, a main and dessert.

“The reaction from those who receive them is the best. They cry and are all so grateful. The impact of receiving a hamper is huge because takes that weight off them to find something nice to do for Christmas.”

Carsten Belger will receive one of the Reservoir Neighbourhood House hampers and said it would help brighten his family’s Christmas after a very tough year.

They normally plan a BBQ seafood feast, but putting a celebratory lunch on the table will be much harder this year after Carsten and his daughter Tori, 23, lost their hospitality jobs in the city and wife Vicky had her hours cut back to part-time for three months during the pandemic. The family, which includes five-year-old Maggie, lost two-thirds of its earnings.

“It is the first time I have ever been out of work in my career,” Carsten, 36, said. “A hamper would really mean a lot and help bring some joy to Christmas. Vicky and I have decided to skip giving each other presents, but we will try and do something for the kids – especially the little one.”

Carsten praised the staff and volunteers at Reservoir Neighbourhood House who offered him food and support when they needed it most.

“The centre over the road was so helpful and supported us from the start. My wife got so teary when she saw what they were offering us and how helpful they were.”

He urged anyone doing it tough to reach out for help.  “Please, don’t suffer on your own.”

Grandparents for Grandchildren CEO Peter Biber has seen first-hand how handing out a free hamper can bring joy to grandparents who are caring full-time for their grandkids.

“Last Christmas when we were distributing Christmas food hampers, a grandmother broke down in tears saying she was forced to choose between a Christmas gift for her grandchildren in her full-time care or a Christmas lunch. Our hamper meant she could do both.”

Reservoir Neighbourhood House and Grandparents for Grandchildren in Adelaide are just two charities that have received 2020 Feed Appeal grants to help them expand their operations and increase their capacity to help feed more vulnerable Australians.

Feed Appeal CEO Katherine Gokavi-Whaley hopes anyone in need will be gifted a hamper this Christmas.

“The festive season is a time when community food charities work overtime to pack joy and hope into these hampers and it’s important that we find ways to support them as they help others in need.”

HOW TO HELP

You can help fill a hamper with traditional festive fare and assist an Aussie in need by donating either:

• $15 for a Christmas pudding
• $25 for a Christmas Ham
• $40 for a small hamper
• $100 for a larger hamper
• Create your own donation amount

Visit feedappeal.org.au/fillthehamper to donate until December 31.