Unwrapped new toys (still in packaging) for ages birth to 16 and non-perishable or specialty Christmas food items will be accepted.

More than ever, Kangaroo Flat Uniting are in need of assistance from the community following a fire in July, which gutted their premises and saw them lose excess gifts from last year.

The service has now temporarily relocated to the Y Service Club of Kangaroo Flat.

Throughout the year, Uniting’s emergency relief centres assist several thousand local people by providing food, financial assistance, advocacy, household goods and clothing.

Donations to the Christmas Drive can be made between 9am-2.30pm Tuesdays and Fridays, and 9am-12pm on Thursdays at the Y Service Club of Kangaroo Flat, 10 Lockwood Rd.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS

"Bendigo is a generous community. We take care of our own. Together we can help make Christmas special for a local family worse off than ours.

 “From local floods to the impact of interest rate rises and the cost of living, it’s been a difficult year for many across Central Victoria and this will be felt strongly at Christmas time.

"We are fortunate to have a network of not-for-profit organisations who work especially hard at this time of year to alleviate some of the financial stress and loneliness felt by many in our local community.

“Max and the hardworking team at Uniting do so much for our community by offering emergency relief and support, so it was devastating when they were impacted by fire earlier this year.

“Now, more than ever, they need our support to dig deep and help those in need."