COVID threatens community Christmas lunch

“This year, of all years, it's really needed,” she said.

“People have been isolated basically all year, a lot of people have been struggling with the pandemic and the challenges it has brought with it.

“I think, more so than ever, people will be wanting that companionship at Christmas time.”

But the year is continuing to present challenges for the event, ones which Ms Sands is trying to work through.

A major challenge is being presented by the size of the event's regular venue, the Uniting Church hall, which is looking to be far too small under current COVID-19 restrictions.

“At the moment it looks like we will only be able to seat about 30 people in the hall,” she said.

“That's simply not enough people. I would say of the 112 we had last year, probably 70 have been at the lunch every year. It's something they really look forward to.

“How can we then make decisions about which 30 people can come? It simply cannot be done — and we don't want to have to choose people, that's not what the event is about.”

With the situation appearing grim, Ms Sands is looking for other options on the other side of the river. But as it stands, that brings little hope as NSW deals with its own restrictions.

“We've spoken to venues in Moama, but unfortunately that option isn't going to work either,” she said.

“They have restrictions as well and it's going to mean it will be a real challenge for things to happen over there as well.”

But Ms Sands refuses to give up on the lunch until she has to.

“If we have to put it together at the last minute, we will try,” she said.

“This year more than ever we are going to have people who need that companionship, they want to spend time with people and they want to enjoy a meal together.

“There will be a few challenges going forward, but we will continue to work our way through it and hopefully get the event running.”