- Keegan Thomson
A Christmas lunch for all
A GOOD old fashioned Christmas arvo nap is the best way to process and breakdown the excess prawns, ham, cakes and wines we all over-indulge during Christmas lunch, but across the west there are hundreds of people who can’t afford to over-consume simply because they don’t have enough money for a sprawling Christmas lunch.
On Christmas Eve-eve, December 23, the Penrith CBD Corporation is putting on a special Christmas luncheon for disadvantaged people and families of the west.
Gai Hawthorn, CEO of the Penrith CBD Corporation, said everyone deserves to have a Christmas lunch feast no matter what their circumstances.
“We want to give underprivileged people of Penrith a Christmas luncheon with all the fare and excitement of a traditional lunch,” Ms Hawthorn said.
Working with the Penrith Community Kitchen, the Christmas Luncheon will host a slew of Christmas activities including a carolling choir, gift bags for adults, presents for kids and even a visit from Santa.
“It is going to be a proper Christmas for people who don’t have the chance to share a full Christmas family meal on the big day,” she said. “It’s a whole community effort and the CBD is all about working together.”
The funds for the luncheon were raised across the year with donations coming in from businesses around the Penrith CBD. Ms Hawthorn said the event couldn’t take place without the generosity of all the businesses across Penrith.
“All of the funds, the food and the gifts come from donations from the community and the businesses in and around the CBD,” she said. “We wouldn’t be able to host the lunch without the generosity of the community.”
“Last year there was a little girl who received her first doll and she was seven-years-old. She had a big smile on her face and I’m sure she’ll treasure that doll for years to come,” Ms Hawthorn added. “It’s the little things that make the big differences.”
Currently the CBD Corp are looking for last minute fundraisers to drop in and donate.
“If you donate $25 you’ll be able to buy someone a relief hamper filled with food, toiletries and things which will help people get through the holiday period,” Ms Hawthorn said.
If you’d like to donate to the Penrith CBD Corp Christmas Luncheon you can drop into their office at Suite 3, 488 High Street, Penrith.
The Christmas luncheon is on Friday December 23 with doors opening around 12:00.