Albany’s free community luncheon shares the spirit of Christmas

Everyone is invited to attend Albany’s annual Christmas Luncheon on Christmas Day.

The luncheon is hosted by Steve and Karen Marshall of Grace and Glory Ministries International.

It will be held at Albany PCYC on Sanford Road at noon.

The luncheon has been held in Albany since 2005 and attracts people from across the Great Southern.

The Marshalls start planning for the annual luncheon in the middle of the year and preparations are now in full swing.

Mr Marshall also said volunteers were needed to help with setting up or packing down.

The food will be prepared by the Marshalls and the community with the support of Albany businesses.

Gift packs are being put together for children under 12 who attend, and they will be presented by Santa on the day.

Mr Marshall said the luncheon was the biggest community luncheon in regional WA.

“We present it as a buffet so people can have whatever they want to eat and as much as they want,” he said.

“On the day we also feed the essential service, the police, ambulance fireys hospice, rangers and women’s refuge,” Mr Marshall said.

“I have a whole team that I organise that go around and drop off Christmas lunch and goodies to them.

“We also have people who can’t come because of anxiety, disability or fitness and we drop off food to their homes as well.”

Buses are also organised to pick up people from farms in Forest Hill and Denbarker as well as Handasyde farms so they can attend on Christmas Day.

“It’s a massive undertaking, people just don’t realise what we do,” Mr Marshall said.

“It’s not too late, if people want to come there is always a seat at the table for them.”