Parramatta Mission is helping to ensure everyone can enjoy the magic of Christmas, no matter what their circumstances may be.
Through its lifeline Meals Plus program, volunteers have spent the past week spreading Christmas cheer to our city’s most vulnerable through gifts, Christmas hampers, services and other special surprises.
This is the second year the week-long ‘Festival of Christmas’ program has occurred, after COVID restrictions meant the usual lunch on Christmas Day could not be held.
With the financial hardships that have flowed as a result of this year’s COVID lockdowns, more people than ever are relying on support from outreach services.
Meals Plus Coordinator, Paul Moussa said ensuring those in need are still able to feel special at Christmas time is their utmost priority.
“It’s all about providing a sense of belonging and community and to spread Christmas cheer,” he said.
“It’s reassuring people, who are disadvantaged and marginalised, that someone does really care.
“We help people living with mental illness, financial hardship, addiction or those at risk of homelessness; we help all kinds of people.
“We provide them with some things that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to have access to, whether that be new clothes, a fresh haircut, podiatry and other items and services but delivered in a Christmas atmosphere.
“We don’t shut the door on anyone, everyone is welcome and there is no judgment. We want to give people hope.”
Mr Moussa said COVID has seen an increase in the number of people requiring support from Parramatta Mission.
“We are serving at the moment from 60 to 80 people for breakfast and from 150 to 200 people for lunch, five days a week,” he said.
This week in the lead up to Christmas additional hampers with food and gifts will also be available to those in need.
Those wishing to help out this year can take donations to 19 Macquarie Street, Parramatta.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.