By Dylan J Stone
Feeding Friends and the Salvation Army made sure there were two free and welcoming Christmas lunches for those doing it tough in our region, and it included no less than 10kg of local yabbies for the occasion, caught by two of the organisers.
Other menu items included roast lamb, pork, ham, and turkey, along with salad and vegetables. Cordial and soft drinks were also provided.
Just before Christmas Day, Cameron and Don Barron – the latter founder of Feeding Friends – also caught and provided 10kgs of yabbies as an entree to the Christmas Lunch.
“People who never in this world get to enjoy the fruits of our river system were able to on Christmas Day now it’s back in flow,” Mr Barron said. Any left-over yabbies were handed out to take home.
“We cooked up a storm at the Salvation Army Hall and served in two locations,” said Don Barron on a Feeding Friends Facebook post published on Christmas Day.
“Kellie Novello from Feeding Friends and Major Kevin Meredith from the Salvation Army served whilst sitting and chatted with people in Town Square, while Major Sugu Meredith from the Salvation Army along with Cameron Barron and myself served those who attended the hall for Christmas Lunch,” Mr Barron said.
“We started at 6am on the morning preparing, and we didn’t disappoint anyone,” said Mr Barron.
“Christmas can be a difficult time for those doing it tough, whether they are financially struggling or lonely, or both.
The collaboration between Feeding Friends and the Salvation Army, “ensured those who are struggling have somewhere they can go on Christmas day, where they can be looked after and surrounded by other people in the community,” Mr Barron said.
The Salvos’ Major Meredith added, “we did about 27 meals through the Hall, as well as some other meals at the Town Square. It’s not just the food, but the atmosphere as well that makes it a great day.”
“I also want to thank the donors, volunteers, and those who were ready to step up, because every year I am pleased with how the community really gets in and supports our Christmas luncheons.
The Major added that the collaboration between the Salvation Army and Feeding Friends, “allowed us to work together as Feeding Friends have good connections with those in the community, and we have the facilities to make the luncheon a success”.
Local businesses and individuals who supported the lunches through donations included Dawsons Bakehouse which supplied breads and desserts, Jenny Robertson who provided buckets of ice cream, the Royal Flying Doctor Service who provided
Christmas pudding, and Mission Australia who provided salad. Warburton’s Butchers were also thanked for their donation and support for the event.
“Without the support of the locals and our business community, events such as this Christmas luncheon simply would not be possible,” said Mr Barron, “and those most vulnerable in the community would simply miss out.”
PICTURE: Majors Kevin and Sugu Meredith from the Salvation Army. Cameron Barron, Kellie Novello, Don Barron from Feeding Friends.
