General News
8 December, 2025
Fill your belly this festive season
After a short hiatus, the group will be bringing back a hot lunch on December 25, something they’ve wanted to do for years.
HOPING to bring a light to those facing loneliness this holiday season, the St Arnaud Community Kitchen is coming together on Christmas Day to serve lunch for anyone without a place to celebrate.
After a short hiatus, the group will be bringing back a hot lunch on December 25, something they’ve wanted to do for years.
“We’ve had other places for people to go on Christmas day, so we knew we needed to be here for them,” volunteer Kim Lambert said.
“We had about 80 people when we did our Christmas lunch about four years ago and we had great feedback.”
While the not-for-profit organisation provides a delicious home cooked morning tea, main meal and dessert every Tuesday, volunteer Tracey Dunstan said the meals on Christmas Day meant a little more.
“We want to be a safe place for people who may not have anywhere to be on that day,” she said.
“Christmas can be a very isolating and lonely time for some people, so we want to be there more than a meal. We are a place for the community to come and socialise over a cuppa and we have no cut-off time - they can stay as long as they’d like.”
The team will make all your favourites and serve up a festive feast on the Thursday morning after 11am.
From 11am a grazing table full of coffee, tea and hot chocolate and a range of treats and shortbread will be available.
Lunch will be an assortment of roast meats and vegetables plus gravy, cheese and music.
And dessert of course will include Christmas puddings and custard, or pavlova.
Mrs Dunstan said she hoped the volunteers would be able to enjoy their Christmas Day too.
“We want to be able to sit down with everyone and come together with them too,” she said. “It’s a much a rewarding day for us and we want to see all those smiling faces.
People can pay $25 each to attend the event at Steward Hall.
Call Tracey on 0433 290 670 to book your spot in advance.
Read More: St Arnaud