The City of Greater Bendigo has provided almost $31,000 in grants to support local groups to hold free community festive meal events or provide food relief hampers in December.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the festive meal events are aimed at supporting local community connections and inclusion during the festive season.
"The City has provided grants up to $2,000 for organisations to hold events to reflect the significant costs involved in hosting these types of events," Cr Prince said.
"This year, we've been able to fund 18 local groups to deliver meals and hampers in the lead-up to Christmas.
"The grants have made it possible for a range of small, local events to be held across Greater Bendigo rather than one large event taking place in central Bendigo. It also responds to an identified whole-of-municipality gap in food relief at this time of the year.
