Home Base is handing over Hobart’s beloved Community Christmas Lunch to CatholicCare Tasmania after more than four decades of bringing the city together on Christmas Day.
The annual Christmas Day gathering has grown dramatically from its humble beginnings, serving 590 lunches and distributing over 750 gifts and hampers last year.
Home Base CEO Dianne Underwood said the organisation recognised it was time to ensure the event’s future sustainability.
“We didn’t really have the capacity to continue and knowing that the demand is continually increasing,” Underwood said.
“It’s such an important event in the Hobart community calendar and we wanted it to continue.”
The lunch began when Home Base staff noticed people had nowhere to go at Christmas and invited just 10 people for a meal.
Underwood joined the organisation four years ago when 300 people attended at the Hellenic Club in North Hobart. The event has since moved to Flint Kitchen and In the Hanging Garden to accommodate growing numbers.
She recalled meeting a woman last year who faced spending Christmas alone and was feeling depressed about the prospect.
“She came along and had the best day,” Underwood said.
“She basically told me that set her up for a really hopeful year and that’s what’s so important about the lunch.”
Scott Heffernan from Flint Kitchen, which partners with the event, said food naturally brings people together regardless of their background.
The kitchen typically serves grass-fed beef, chicken and ham from Scottsdale producers, while keeping the menu flexible for community involvement.
“We want to open it up so we can get new people coming in to help as well,” he said.
Underwood said CatholicCare is the ideal organisation to continue the tradition.
“We know the event is in safe hands with CatholicCare Tasmania, an organisation committed to delivering community services across the state with care and compassion,” she said.
