(Photo: Facebook)
December 2, 2021
For the second year in a row, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of the annual Salvation Army Community Lunch in Kingaroy on Christmas Day.
The decision to cancel the lunch, which is organised by community groups, was made reluctantly by the organising committee on Thursday morning.
The lunch was going to be held this year in the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception Room, with catering organised for 120 seated guests.
Planning was well under way and bookings had already started to be taken.
However, after consulting with Queensland Health in regards to the COVID-19 health regulations that are expected to come into effect on December 17, the committee decided it was not possible for the event to go ahead.
All the diners plus all the volunteers would have had to have proof of double vaccination, something the committee believed they would not be able to enforce.
People who have already booked will be contacted by the organisers.
Some food that had already been purchased for the day has been donated to The Pantry in Kingaroy.
Salvation Army Captain Tim Brown said the main reason for the event to be held on Christmas Day was to provide a social event for people who could otherwise be alone.
He encouraged anyone who thinks they may be alone this year to reach out to others in a similar position so they could enjoy Christmas Day together.
The Salvation Army Community Christmas Lunch is supported by the Salvation Army South Burnett Corps, South Burnett CTC, southburnett.com.au and Burnett Today.
