The strong sense of community at this year’s Homelessness We Care lunch was a standout for charity co-founders Stuart and Coral McLellan.
Mr McLellan said about 200 people attended the late lunch, where Alcoa-donated hampers were distributed, each tailored for the Christmas period.
“They included Christmas pudding, a slice of Christmas cake and things like that,” he said.
Guests were also treated to a two-course meal, which Mr McLellan said provided an opportunity for people to connect.
“It gave people a chance to sit together and talk, and Santa Claus came along with presents for the kids,” he said.
“These are things some of them can’t have because they don’t have a home and some of them can’t have because they simply haven’t got any money left at the end of the day for it.”
Mrs McLellan said many attendees told her the event helped them feel like normal people.
Drawing on his background in mental health, Mr McLellan said hospital emergency departments saw sharp rises in depression and suicide admissions during Christmas and Easter.
“They’re very difficult times of the year for this group,” he said.
Mr McLellan said the organisation’s ethos was act, belong, commit.
“We show people that we care but also that a lot of other people care as well,” he said.
The event also offered free health and veterinary check-ups.
“Pets are absolutely vital to homeless people,” Mr McLellan said.
“For some, they’re the only family they have. They’ll feed their animal before themselves.”
Mr McLellan said the opening of the new train line allowed more people from surrounding suburbs to attend, with a noticeable increase in visitors from different postcodes.
Mrs McLellan said she was overwhelmed with how many people raised their hands to volunteer at the lunch.
“We thought we were going to be pushing for volunteers, but we just got loads and loads,” she said.
“These guys were just like, ‘We’re going to get right into it and get it done’.”
Photographs – Richard Polden.
