By Callum Ludwig
The ADRA Redwood Community Centre in Warburton is holding an end-of-year celebration to help locals through Christmas.
Free fresh fruit and vegetables will be available for those who otherwise might be able to afford them for their Christmas spread.
Organiser of the event Christian James said the opportunity became available after ADRA received a Pop-up Food Relief Market grant.
“It’s important for people to have access to fresh food at Christmas time, we’re seeing a lot more people use our facilities and services and because of the financial strife people are in, a lot of people are struggling to put food on the table,” he said.
“When I think Christmas in Australia, I think of fresh mangoes and cherries. So I feel it’s really important that these people are able to have those things in their home so that they can have a nice lunch or dinner with their loved ones.”
The event will be set up similarly to a night market, held from 5pm to 7pm Thursday 22 December.
Mr James said the people at ADRA are thankful that they’re able to be in a position where we can help other people.
“For these people, it will be like doing a 180. Going from that not being able to see what kind of food, if anything, they’re gonna be able to share at Christmas time to be able to have a roast with roast vegetables or a fruit salad or even a pavlova, the difference is vast,” he said.
“It will also give them more self-confidence, the stress will be taken off them and they can be joyous. We take access to food for granted because we are able to so easily, but people are struggling out there.”
Attendees will be able to bring their own bag and fill it up from the assortment of fresh produce, and there will also be children’s activities and light snacks available.
Mr James said Christmas should be a joyful time, not a very stressful one and people shouldn’t have to go without.
“We have regulars who come in every week because they need it. We have our big family groups who struggle to be able to make ends meet because of their large family size, and then we have those that are single and struggle because they’re the only income and have to pay exorbitant amounts just on their rent and things like that,” he said.
“We have also been able to run a gif shop for people that are doing it tough, single parents mostly, who have been able to come in and get brand new toys that they will then be able to give to their kids, which is quite important.”
