As Canberra grapples with a growing homelessness crisis, a local church has provided a vital lifeline of community and sustenance on Christmas Day. St John's Care in Reid hosted its annual festive lunch, catering to 350 people who are homeless, struggling, or facing loneliness.
A Vital Meal and Community Connection
Under the shade of trees in St John's churchyard and inside the bustling hall, guests shared a traditional Christmas feast. The menu featured roast chicken, an array of salads, mince pies, pudding with custard, and fresh fruit salad.
For attendees like Peter, who is on a low income, the event was a crucial alternative to a solitary and bleak day. "What else are you going to do on Christmas Day, sit at home and cry?" he said. "You meet people. You have a good feed. It's really great." He noted that this annual lunch is the only time he finds himself on church grounds.
Another guest, Linda, who lives with severe depression, said she now looks forward to these gatherings. She and her friend Tahlia shared that without the lunch, they would likely be at home feeling gloomy.
Charity Sees Soaring Demand for Support
Jason Haines, the Managing Director of St John's Care, is witnessing a significant increase in need across the capital. This marked his eighth Christmas in the role, and the pressure on the charity's services has never been greater.
The charity supports 70 families every single month with essential food supplies, a service that Haines says prevents people from becoming homeless. "If we don't give them food, they can't pay their rent, they're on the streets," he explained.
In the five weeks leading up to Christmas, the organisation's efforts expanded dramatically. They prepared Christmas hampers and ran a present room, assisting a staggering 1004 families and distributing thousands of gifts to children. Each child typically received a large toy, a book, a game, and a stocking filler.
Community Steps Up Where Government Doesn't
A critical point stressed by Haines is that St John's Care operates without any government funding. "The Canberra community by private donations are supporting people to stay home when the government's not doing anything to support us to do so," he stated.
The Christmas Day event was entirely run by volunteers, who served meals and ferried food to tables. This community-driven support extends beyond material aid. "We are supporting them by giving them dignity," Haines said. "We're giving them food but we're also giving them a hearing ear to support them to move forward."
The charity's reliance on public generosity made it a target earlier in the year, when scammers set up a fake website to impersonate St John's Care and divert donations.
The scene at St John's on December 25, 2025, was one of warmth and connection, but it underscored a deepening social issue in the nation's capital. As rows of guests leaned in to talk over their meals, the event served as both a celebration of community spirit and a stark reminder of the rising number of Canberrans being left behind.
