This year’s Collingwood Football Club Annual Christmas luncheon for the homeless and disadvantaged will be held at the Magpie Nest Café at Westwood Place Melbourne from 10.00am to 12.00pm on Christmas Day.

 

The annual event is a great tradition and is one of the biggest events in Melbourne on Christmas Day. As it’s not possible to host a large indoor luncheon this year due to COVID restrictions, the event will proceed as a Christmas Barbecue.

 

Collingwood, Coles and the Salvation Army Project 614 team will be distributing special Christmas meals, hampers and gifts from the take-away window at the Magpie Nest Café.

 

Coles is also donating more than 2000 frozen meals to the Salvo’s to help feed people in need over the Christmas and New Year period.

 

Coles Corporate Affairs General Manager Sally Fielke said, “We’re proud to partner with the Collingwood Football Club Community Foundation and the Salvo’s to help spread some festive cheer by supporting this very special luncheon which has become an annual tradition on Christmas Day.”

 

Major Brendan Nottle said, “Christmas Day can be one of the saddest days of the year for many people. By providing take away meals and gifts we will be able to safely connect with

people and show them that there is a community that supports and cares for them at this difficult time of the year."

 

Collingwood’s Director of Community David Emerson said,” This event is a wonderful tradition at Collingwood. It is a privilege for our club to show that we care for people who are doing it tough and who are often forgotten at this time of the year.” 

 

The luncheon includes appearances from Collingwood AFL, AFLW and Netball players with the support of more than 40 volunteers. Over 600 gifts and care packs will be distributed on the day.

 

MAGPIE NEST BACKGROUND

 

  • The luncheon is a part of Collingwood’s Magpie Nest Program operated in partnership with the Salvation Army Project 614 Team and supported by Coles.

 

  • Presents, Gift Packs and Food Hampers will be collected from the Magpie Nest Café between 10.00am - 12.00pm.

 

  • The café is situated on Westwood Place at the back of the Salvation Army building at 69 Burke Street, Melbourne.

 

  • Collingwood’s Mason Cox along with AFL, AFLW and Netball players will assist in handing out gifts.

 

  • Cargo Restaurant will be hosting a barbecue service from Westwood Place.

 

  • Coles and the Collingwood Football Club’s Community Foundation work together to support a range of initiatives to make a genuine difference in the community, including the Magpie Nest Program.

 

  • Magpie Nest aims to make a genuine difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage by providing individual case management support and a network of services including physical and mental health, drug and alcohol addiction and legal services, along with accommodation and employment/training assistance.

 

  • The program currently manages 150 people in homes around Melbourne with participants receiving support from the Salvation Army Project 614 Team case workers.

 

  • The Magpie Nest Café provides approx. 4,000 free meals each week and essential supplies.

 

  • The program also provides a dedicated program to support women who are in crisis, many of whom are affected by the trauma of domestic violence.

 

  • Invitations are provided to a range of community organisations including the Salvation Army Magpie Nest Program, Flagstaff Homeless Outreach Program, EACH, The Salvation Army CACP, Drummond Street Services, Cohealth, Father Bob Maguire, and Reclink.

 

We are very grateful to the following organisations for their generous support

 

  • Coles and Coles Online
  • Black Tie Security
  • Harry The Hirer
  • Toll Transport Group