SOS plea for charity lunch
PLANS for Geelong’s muchloved charity Christmas lunch remain uncertain as representatives seek a new central organiser.
A combination of factors, including the departure of long-time mainstay Peter Chiang and closure of Alcoa’s Point Henry smelter, have left Christ Church meals program leaders concerned for its future and issuing a call for expressions of interest.
Up to 175 people attend the lunch, enjoying fellowship along with multiple courses of donated food served by an army of about 50 volunteers in the decorated Christ Church hall.
Patrons also receive gifts.
Spokesman Gary McIlvena hoped an agency might answer the call.
“The quicker we do it the better because the months go fast,” Mr McIlvena said.
“We need somebody to pick it up and do all of the organising, organise the volunteers.
“In the past we’ve had a lot of volunteers but not a great deal of work for them. You need somebody that is able to regulate it.”
The lunch is co-ordinated separately from the regular Christ Church charity meals program.
Mr Chiang, a St Vincent de Paul Society volunteer, has coordinated the lunch for 10 years but has now shifted from Geelong.
Alcoa was a strong supplier of financial and volunteer support, alongside Ford.
Christ Church meals program co-ordinator Jan McGowan said the Christmas lunch had never been run by anyone but Mr Chiang.
“It would be nice just to have a co-ordinator for it. We’d be loath to see it slip,” she said.