Should you or your family need any assistance over the 2025 Christmas period, we have summarised a list of supports available in the ACT.

FOOD + GIFT ASSISTANCE

🎁Communities at Work Christmas Appeal – Food hampers, toys, and gift cards for families in need.

🎁Canberra Basket Brigade – Delivers baskets of food and gifts anonymously to families doing it tough. Email: canberrabasketbrigade@magicmoments.org.au

🎁HandUp Food – Canberra City Care (Charnwood) – Distributes Christmas hampers and offers low-cost groceries.

🎁The Salvation Army (Canberra City Corps) (Braddon) – Food hampers, toy vouchers, and Christmas meals.

🎁Vinnies Night Patrol Vans – Operating Christmas Day: food, clothing, and hygiene items at Dickson Library and Veterans’ Park.

FREE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DAY MEALS

🍴St John’s Care Community Lunch – Christmas Day, 12-1:30 pm, St John’s Anglican Church, 45 Constitution Avenue, Reid. Open to everyone; no bookings required. Guests can sit inside or outside under the trees.

🍴Canberra City Salvos Christmas Dinner – Christmas Day, 4:30 pm, 2 Fawkner Street, Braddon. For people in need or experiencing isolation.

🍴UnitingCare Kippax – Christmas Day, 12-1:30pm, Kippax Uniting Community Centre, cr. Luke St. & Harding Cres., Holt. Christmas Lunch for those in need

🍴Vinnies Night Patrol Vans – Christmas Day evening, Dickson Library (7 pm) & Veterans’ Park, City (8 pm). Distributes sandwiches, tea, coffee, clothing, blankets, and hygiene items.

EMERGENCY RELIEF

🥫St John’s Care Emergency Relief Centre – 45 Constitution Ave, Reid ACT. Food, clothing, bedding, prescriptions, bus tickets, and Christmas hampers.

🥫Canberra Food Relief Network – multiple food pantries across ACT; info via VolunteeringACT.

MENTAL HEALTH + FAMILY SUPPORT

🫶Medicare Mental Health Centres (City and Tuggeranong) – Free walk-in mental health support or call 1800 595 212.

🫶Lifeline Canberra – 24/7 crisis support, call 13 11 14.

🫶Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT, 24/7 support for family violence: Call 6280 0900.

🫶Beyond Blue – On their forums, tips for coping with family stress and conflict during the festive season.