Every year, Council to Homeless Persons publishes our Festive Meal Services Guide, listing free meal events being held right across Victoria over the festive period. If you’re living without a home, doing it tough, or just want a little company over the next few weeks, here’s more than 20 free events where you can enjoy some great food and end-of-year cheer. Click here to download a PDF of the Guide, or simply browse below.
ALTONA
Salvation Army Community Christmas Lunch
Open to all, this is a festive free hot meal with carol singing.
When: Wednesday 20 December, 12 – 1pm
Where: 108 Queen St, Altona
RSVP: No bookings necessary
BENALLA
Salvation Army Christmas Lunch
Share a two course meal, company and carols together on Christmas Day!
When: Monday 25 December, 12 – 2pm
Where: 85 Bridge Street West, Benalla
RSVP: Please call 03 5762 6547
BENDIGO
Community Christmas Meal, by Hispanos Unidos de Victoria Inc
When: Thursday 7 December, 5 – 10pm
Where: Rosiland Park Rotunda, Pall Mall, Bendigo
RSVP: Not required
Community Christmas Meal, by A Reasonable Christianity
When: Thursday 21 December, 5:30 – 9:30pm
Where: Anglican Church – Holy Trinity Bendigo, 14 Keck Street, Flora Hill
RSVP: text name and number of people attending to 0478 492 016 by 14 December
Community Christmas Meal, by The Salvation Army Bendigo
When: Monday 25 December, 11am – 1:30pm
Where: 65-71 Mundy Street, Bendigo (Enter Gate 1)
RSVP: Not required
BRUNSWICK
Salvation Army Christmas Carols and Dinner
Join us for a carol service and a community Christmas Dinner, where nobody needs to feel alone.
When: Monday 25 December, 4pm
Where: 256 Albert Street, Brunswick
RSVP: by leaving a message at 9388 5500 or email corpsofficer.brunswick@salvationarmy.org.au
CASTLEMAINE
Community Christmas Lunch
Take-away packs & gifts are available for those unable to dine-in. Free transportation to/from the Community Christmas Lunch is available within Mount Alexander shire.
When: Monday 25 December, 12:30 – 2pm
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street (entry via Fredricks Street)
RSVP: please call 5472 4842 or book online
DIAMOND CREEK
Community Christmas Day Lunch – Uniting Church Hall
Relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Everyone welcome. Transport available if needed.
When: Monday 25 December, 12 noon
Where: Cnr Hurstbridge Rd & Wensley St, Diamond Creek
RSVP: To chat about coming or simply say “yes”, call graham on 0419 361 487 or email gford@bigpond.net.au
EAGLEHAWK
Community Christmas Meal, by Eaglehawk Community House
When: Saturday 9 December, 11am – 2pm
Where: 19 Bright Street, Eaglehawk
RSVP: Not required
Community Christmas Meal, by Eaglehawk Uniting Church Food & Care
When: Tuesday 19 December, 11am – 1:30pm
Where: Eaglehawk Uniting Church, Peg Leg Road, Eaglehawk
RSVP: Not required
Community Christmas Meal, by Anglican Parish of Eaglehawk
When: Wednesday 20 December, 11:30am – 2:30pm
Where: St Peters Church Hall, 63 High Street, Eaglehawk
RSVP: By 13 December on 5446 8251 or office@eaglehawkanglican.org.au
FOSTER
The Manna Gum Christmas Lunch
When: Wednesday 20 December, 12pm
Where: Manna Gum Community House, 33 Station Rd, Foster
RSVP: For enquiries, call 5682 1101
FRANKSTON
2023 Frankston Life Community Christmas Lunch
When: Monday 25 December, 12-2:30pm
Where: Frankston Arts Centre
RSVP: Please book at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2023-community-christmas-lunch-tickets-744805863387
GLEN HUNTLY
St Anthony’s Glen Huntly Christmas Day Takeaway Dinner 2023
A traditional Christmas Day TAKEAWAY Dinner.
When: Monday 25 December, 12-1:30pm
Where: St Anthony’s Hall, 164 Neerim Rd, Caulfield East
RSVP: If you would like to enjoy a delicious meal, please fill out a yellow invitation, which can be collected from:
- the doors of the church,
- St Anthony’s Parish Hall, (164 Neerim Rd, Caulfield East) or
- the front door of the Parish House (74 Grange Road).
Completed forms can be returned:
- via email: stanthony.christmasdinner@gmail.com
- at St Anthony’s Parish House: 74 Grange Rd, Glen Huntly (in an envelope marked Christmas Dinner)
- at Tony’s Café at St Anthony’s Hall on Tuesdays: 12.30pm—1.30pm or Thursdays: 3pm—5.30pm
HAMPTON PARK
Christmas Community BBQ, by Find A Penny Foundation
Meat, Vegan, Halal. Food Hampers also available, 3-5pm. To book a hamper, call 0425 747 866
When: Sunday 17 December, 10am-5pm
Where: Hampton park Junior Football Club, 47 Cairns Rd, Hampton Park
RSVP: No bookings necessary (except for Food Hampers)
HASTINGS
Christmas Day Lunch, by Western Port Community Support
When: Monday 25 December, 12 Noon
Where: Hastings Bowls Club, 40 Marine Parade, Hastings
RSVP: Book in person at Western Port Community Support, 185 High St Hastings or call 5979 2762
KANGAROO FLAT
Community Christmas Meal, by Kangaroo Flat Community House
When: Saturday 16 December, 11am – 2pm
Where: 21 Woolcock Avenue, Kangaroo Flat
RSVP: Not required, but please RSVP if children are attending. Call 5447 9687 or email adminkfch@bigpond.com by 6 December
Community Christmas Meal, by Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat
When: Tuesday 19 December, 5:30 – 8pm
Where: Gateway Park, High Street, Kangaroo Park (opposite APCO)
RSVP: Phone 0400 653 515. Limited walk-ins welcome
LONG GULLY
Community Christmas Meal, by Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre
When: Wednesday 20 December, 12:30 – 2pm
Where: 52-54 Derwent Drive, Long Gully
RSVP: Not required
MILDURA
Salvation Army Christmas Day Lunch
When: Monday 25 December, 12 noon
Where: Cnr Fourteenth & Etiwanda, Mildura
RSVP: Please RSVP
PRAHRAN
Christmas Day Lunch, by Uniting Vic.Tas
When: Monday 25 December, 11:30am – 1pm; and 1:30 – 3pm
Where: Hartley’s Community Dining Room, 211 Chapel Street, Prahran
RSVP: in person at Hartley’s. Please note, this event is almost booked out.
QUARRY HILL
Community Christmas Meal, by Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria
When: Sunday 17 December, 10am – 1pm
Where: Old Church on the Hill, 36 Russell Street, Quarry Hill
RSVP: Call 0420 757 680 by 5 December
RICHMOND
Christmas Food Parcels and Sausage Sizzle, by Richmond Churches Food Centre
When: Monday 18 December, 9:30am-12pm
Where: 326 Church St, Richmond.
RSVP: No bookings necessary
Christmas Day Barbecue, by Richmond Churches Food Centre
When: Monday 25 December, 12-3pm
Where: Community hall behind St Ignatius Church, 326 Church St in Richmond.
RSVP: No bookings necessary
SHEPPARTON
GV Community Christmas Day Lunch
Everybody is welcome.
When: Monday 25 December, 11am – 2pm
Where: McIntosh Centre, Shepparton Showgrounds, cnr High Street & Thompson Street, Shepparton
RSVP: Phone 0456 125 237 or email cftavolunteer@gmail.com
ST KILDA
Christmas Day Lunch, by Sacred Heart Mission
Everybody is welcome.
When: Monday 25 December, 10.45am – 1.30pm
Where: 87 Grey Street, St Kilda
RSVP: No bookings necessary