Gift of giving - your guide to councils giving back to their communities

3 December 2025

Christmas is a time for giving, and this year local councils across the state are taking great pride in warming hearts and giving back to their community.

Here are just some of the very generous services on offer across the state and ways you can get involved in the spirit of giving this Christmas.

The Christmas spirit is certainly alive and well in Adelaide’s north. Residents can donate a book, for the City of Playford’s Give the Gift of Reading. Donations are open until the 14 December ahead of the annual Give the Gift of Reading Handover Party on 15 December.

The City of Playford is also partnering with charities to host a free lunch on 25 December for socially disadvantaged or displaced people. More than 1000 people have enjoyed this special event at the Grenville Hub since its inception in 2011. A big shout out too to the 20+ Playford council staff who generously volunteer their time and swap their uniforms for aprons on the day.

Find out more at City of Playford.

Dinner is served at the City of Campbelltown, thanks to Northeast Salvos and supported by council. Residents can share in a delicious Christmas Day dinner at the Campbelltown Function Centre filled with food, fellowship, fun and carols.

Book your dinner at Campbelltown City Council.

When it comes to Christmas presents, Santa isn’t the only one delivering toys and goodies this year.

The Whyalla Christmas Relief Committee, made up of staff from Whyalla City Council and local agencies, will deliver more than 750 Christmas hampers to residents in need.

Local businesses and residents will also come to the party with donations of toys, gifts and the local appeal Thread Together, which provides families with brand-new clothing, shoes, pyjamas, and underwear.

Find out more at Whyalla City Council.

There are many generous initiatives on offer for the City of Adelaide residents. The council is the major in-kind food donor for a free Christmas Day lunch for the women at Catherine House.

Meanwhile at the Central Markets, the City of Adelaide’s Tree of Goodness helps Oz Harvest raise thousands of dollars each year to keep their food rescue vans on the road and deliver food to those who need it most. Many of the kind donations are provided by the generous shoppers and local stall holders.

Give to those in need at City of Adelaide.

The Onkaparinga Christmas Tree is accepting donations for children living in the council area. Members of the community can drop off toys and gifts until 12 December, which will be distributed to children with the assistance of participating charities.

Drop your gift at City of Onkaparinga.

A major food drive is taking place in Adelaide’s western suburbs. The City of Charles Sturt is accepting non-perishable food items for at any of its libraries, community centres and immunisation clinics to help support the Foodbank Christmas Food Drive and those in need this Christmas. Residents can also Give the Gift of Reading at its book donation drive, accepting new books until 14 December at libraries and community centres.

Donate at City of Charles Sturt.

When it comes to food drives, it’s Christmas all year long in the southern Fleurieu.

Yankalilla will provide Christmas hampers and regular supplies of emergency food and monetary donations to residents in need.

Find out more at Yankalilla District Council.

Image credit: City of Playford