No one should go hungry or feel lonely on Christmas Day – that’s the philosophy behind the legendary annual Wayside Chapel Christmas Day Street Party, which feeds and provides community for about 1,000 Sydneysiders experiencing homelessness. On December 25, Hughes Street in Kings Cross will be transformed into Sydney’s biggest, buzziest Christmas Party, featuring long lunch tables, live music, singing, dancing and a visit from Santa. The event has been running for more than 40 years.
This year, party hosts will serve up 80 kilograms of prawns, 20 hams and 800 puddings for those sleeping rough who have nowhere else to go this Christmas. In the past, the event has also hosted celebrities, prime ministers and other locals.
Amid rising homelessness and food insecurity, Wayside Chapel is making an urgent plea to all Australians to support people with nowhere to go this Christmas by ‘Donating a Plate’ – all you have to do is make a monetary donation of $27. This helps feed and support a person experiencing homelessness and social isolation during the festive season and beyond.
Demand for food at Wayside’s low-cost community cafés – from people who can’t get a meal any other way – has almost doubled compared to last year; people experiencing homelessness are seeking out 1,700 meals every week from this charity alone. And Wayside is having trouble meeting demand.
Of course, hunger isn't the only way people experiencing homelessness do it tough around Christmas – Reverend Jon Owen, pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel, says Christmas is a particularly lonely and challenging time. “There are 37,715 people experiencing homelessness in NSW, and alleviating loneliness and disadvantage is more important at this time of year than ever.
“We are going to show people that they are loved and not forgotten, because no one should go hungry or be alone at Christmas. But we need the public’s help – we need to raise $1,100,000 by 25 December to feed and support people living on our streets.”
To see the event schedule or register to attend the Wayside Chapel Christmas Day Street Party, click here. Can’t attend? And you can make a small financial contribution to Donate A Plate, here.
