An estimated 3,000 poor and hungry Sydneysiders will enjoy Christmas lunch at The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation today.
The Prime Minister the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP will be there to serve meals, together with the NSW Premier the Hon. Chris Minns MP and hundreds of other Christmas Day volunteers.
“The cost of living crisis has driven lots of families into hunger this Christmas. So much so that our free Christmas lunch is the only festive cheer they will get this year”, said Rev. Bill Crews - CEO and founder of The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation.
Photo opportunities
- Hon. Anthony Albanese MP and Hon. Chris Minns MP serving meals to Sydneysiders.
- Families enjoying Christmas.
- One of Sydney’s longest serving Santas (29 years playing Santa) giving presents to kids in need.
- Homeless people getting Christmas lunch.
- Volunteers serving meals.
When & where
Date: Christmas Day
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation, 180 Liverpool Road Ashfield
Interviews
Rev. Bill Crews will be available for interview on location at The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation in Ashfield.
How it all began
The Foundation has been feeding the homeless and those in need at Christmas since 1989. It all started when Rev. Crews shared a plate of sandwiches with a small group of rough sleepers in his church.
Within a few years hundreds turn up for Christmas lunch. Now, up to 3,000 hungry Sydneysiders enjoy a free, traditional Christmas Day lunch at The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation.
It’s the biggest free Christmas lunch in the nation. The Christmas-goers will eat their way through over 400 kilos of ham and turkey, 680 kilos of chicken, 800 kilos of veggies and 40 litres of cranberry sauce. As if that wasn’t enough there will also be 4,000 mini puddings and cheesecakes, not to mention fairy floss as well!
Hundreds of dedicated volunteers lend a hand to ensure everyone gets fed and enjoys the day.
Cost of living crisis makes this Christmas a luxury many can’t afford
This year the cost of living crisis means the Foundation is expecting more people at Christmas than ever before.
“Christmas is a luxury many Sydneysiders can’t afford. This year they face brutal choices, like paying the electricity bill or feeding the family; buying new school shoes for the kids or filling their Christmas stockings. Needless to say, my Foundation is a beacon of hope for these people at Christmas”, said Rev. Bill Crews.
High grocery prices are pushing record numbers of Sydneysiders into hunger, so the need extends beyond Christmas Day. The Foundation expects to provide in excess of 10,000 meals over the holiday and almost 54,000 meals during the month of December.
About The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation
For almost 40 years The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation has been providing assistance to address the cause and effect of homelessness, poverty and unemployment. The Foundation succeeds in achieving this through a combination of caring services like food provision, social welfare and education support.
