For over 16 years, the annual KCCS project has implemented a whole of community approach to ensure everyone in Knox City has some festive food, and every parent/carer has a gift for their child(ren), to celebrate the Christmas season.
What We Delivered Together
Every community member received a festive food hamper, along with:
- A meat voucher
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Pet food
- Toiletries
- Access to a dignified shopping experience where guests selected additional food items, toys, and gifts for their children
2025 Impact Snapshot
- 320 Christmas Hampers distributed
- 1780+ children's toys and gifts provided
- $8950 in butcher vouchers
- 256 gift vouchers valued at $2950
- 600kg of fruit, vegetables, bread and cakes
- 500kg of non-perishable items selected by guests in addition to their main hamper.
While these numbers are impressive, they represent far more than statistics - they reflect real stories of hope, relief, and joy for families in need across Knox.
Participant Stories...
The Ahmed* family
* Names have been changed for privacy.
The Ahmed family consists of two parents, Amina and Khaled, and their four children, aged 12 to 3 years old. The family rents privately in Boronia and have been under increasing financial pressure throughout the year. Khaled works part‑time in warehousing, and Amina stays home to care for the younger children and manage the household.
The family first sought help with Knox Infolink, as they faced rising rental costs, multiple school expenses, and the high cost of groceries placed the family under significant financial strain. A series of unexpected medical bills in the second half of the year, further reduced their ability to meet basic needs.
As Christmas approached, the family was linked into the KCCS project. Amina shared that they were “counting every dollar” and without the KCCS project, they could not afford gifts or a special meal for the children.
“The help is amazing and everyone is made to feel thought of. Thank you so much for helping taking the stress and worry at a very stressful time of the year. Wishing you all Merry Christmas” she said.
THANK YOU CUMMINS
Cummins was the 2025 KCCS Santa!
Cummins generously donated over $14,000 to ensure those in the Knox Community doing it tough, had access to quality, nutritious and festive food items for the 2025 Christmas period.
Participant Stories...
James*
* Names have been changed for privacy.
James is a 25 year old man experiencing homelessness for the past eight months. After losing stable employment in retail earlier in the year, he was unable to keep up with rent and eventually had to leave his shared accommodation. Since then, James has been sleeping rough and occasionally staying in crisis accommodation when available. .
Without regular income, he often prioritises basic survival needs—food, safety, and warm clothing. The festive season intensified his feelings of isolation, as he described Christmas as “a reminder of everything I’ve lost.”
James was referred to the Christmas support program by a local outreach worker who meets him at a nearby community meal service. During initial contact, James was polite but cautious, expressing that he “didn’t want to take away from families who need it more.” With reassurance that the program is inclusive and community funded, he agreed to accept support.
“The Christmas project is great the way that it is! The volunteers were really good and made you feel like a person”.
THANK YOU RAY WHITE FERNTREE GULLY, KNOX COUNCIL AND BENDIGO BANK FERNTREE GULLY
Ray White Ferntree Gully are incredible long term supporters of the KCCS project. Knox Council and Bendigo Bank Ferntree Gully both contributed to KCCS 2025 through grant programs!
Thank you to all three organisations for their generous donations towards the KCCS 2025 Christmas project. We appreciate your organisation's commitment to supporting the local communty of Knox and demonstration of compassion towards those doing it tough.
Ray White Ferntree Gully, Knox City Council & Bendigo Bank Ferntree Gully are our 2025 Chief Christmas Elves!
