Wodonga's annual Christmas luncheon will go ahead in 2020, but organisers are still grappling with how to create an inclusive community gathering amid COVID restrictions.
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Member of the St Stephens Uniting Church Christmas lunch organising group Ian Bedford said no matter what happened they would do their best to provide a heartwarming environment for people feeling isolated at Christmas.
"We are determined to ensure we will offer a Christmas event that is the most connecting that is possible in the circumstances at the time," he said.
"We're very much aware that being alone either as an individual or an isolated family unit ... on Christmas Day is a very traumatic thing.
"Christmas Day is the day these emotional dilemmas are more intensely felt.
"Getting together with other people on Christmas Day is much more encouraging and affirming for families struggling for whatever reason."
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Mr Bedford said the event had been running for about 17 years, but attempting to organise the lunch had been especially challenging in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
But, given the year, having a gathering of some kind to support the community was more important than ever.
"We've identified a range of options from providing takeaway Christmas dinners - that's not ideal at all, that's the worst-case scenario, thankfully the signs here in Victoria suggest that won't need to be all we offer - right through to a normal Christmas dinner," he said.
"Though the signs say we won't be able to do it in quite the way we normally would."
Currently in Victoria restaurants and cafes can serve 40 people if the space allows, while 70 people can be seated outdoors.
Up to 50 people plus a faith leader can attend outdoor religious gatherings.
Mr Bedford said on average 140 to 180 people attended the Christmas lunch annually.
"We need to work out the issues of social distancing and the balance between what can be done indoors, and what can be done outdoors," he said.
"And if we prioritise outdoors we need to deal with both hot and wet days."
Mr Bedford said the group would explore options, including the hiring or gazebos, in coming weeks, but said any financial support the community could offer would go a long way to ensuring they had to extra equipment required to run a COVID-safe Christmas.
He said in the middle of November the group would begin to circulate information sheets to find out how many people would like to attend.
Anyone wishing to donate can contact Mr Bedford on 0412 544 770.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
