Whether it’s eating a few too many prawns, defending your method of glazing ham, or begrudgingly wearing the garishly coloured paper hats from the bonbons on the table, Christmas Day traditions are what make the holiday season so special. But if you’re looking to make some new traditions, consider donating time, gifts or money to the Exodus Foundation’s annual Christmas Day lunch.

Now in its 32nd year, The Exodus Foundation’s Christmas Lunch provides much needed holiday cheer to Sydney’s least fortunate, serving more than 3000 traditional hot meals throughout the day. And, after the main lunch event, Exodus volunteers take even more Christmas meals out to the homeless in the city.

“Each year our Christmas lunch gets bigger, and each year more people find a family they thought they wouldn’t have,” says Reverend Bill Crews, founder of the Exodus Foundation.

Held in the Foundation’s Ashfield headquarters, the annual event is the centrepiece of the Exodus food program. As one of Sydney’s largest frontline charities, The Exodus Foundation assists homeless and abandoned youth and all other people in need year round, providing more than 800 meals a day at the Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant and operating a multipurpose Health & Outreach Centre.

Along with a nurturing environment and delicious meal, every guest at the Christmas Day lunch also receives useful gifts like toiletries, with Santa making a special appearance to deliver presents for kids.

By the way of Christmas traditions, contributing to an initiative like this is up there with the best. Volunteer your time this Christmas to help with the lunch, or donate gifts by dropping unwrapped toys directly to The Exodus Foundation, or place them under the Christmas tree at the Target store in Burwood.