Organisers of Wodonga's annual Christmas luncheon are struggling to come up with the funds needed to make the event COVID-Safe.
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Member of the organising committee Ian Bedford said the St Stephen's lunch would go ahead - but the costs were "mindblowing."
Mr Bedford said this year the lunch would be served in eco-friendly takeaway containers.
He said participants could take the dinner home with them but organisers were making arrangements so people could stay and share the day together outdoors in a COVID-Safe way.
Mr Bedford said the event was about so much more than a meal, it was about bringing people together during what can be an extremely isolating time for those without close relationships.
Last year more than 170 people attended the lunch.
However hosting the event outside means organisers must hire all-weather marquees to protect from rain or scorching heat.
But how organisers are going to pay for that is not clear.
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"It's about $5000 if we erect it ourselves... but I'm not sure we have the people to do that," Mr Bedford said.
"And it's $10,000 if erected by the business we hire from."
Mr Bedford said while many people volunteer to serve the meals, it was only a small group of generally older residents who set up the event.
"Setting up frames and marquees might be a bit beyond most of the traditional volunteers," he said.
Beyond that, the cost itself seems insurmountable.
"Given we're used to running on a shoestring, it's mindblowing," he said.
Mr Bedford said it's possible they could have a mix of indoor and outdoor seating but that would require a lot of extra cleaning work for volunteers. There are community grants available through Wodonga Council, but the application process generally takes eight weeks, he said.
Regardless, the 18th annual lunch will go ahead, in whatever form it can.
Participants and volunteers must register with St Stephen's Uniting Church ahead of time due to COVID restrictions.
Anyone who can assist the organisers with financial donations, labour or waterproof marquees can contact Ian Bedford on 0412 544 770.