The families also received a 10 kilogram box of produce to create their own delicious Christmas feast.

Door of Hope spokeswoman Dorothy Roberts said it was about bringing joy back into the community.

``We're really looking at building from the relationship with people,'' Mrs Roberts said.

``Just giving a hamper with food doesn't really help people in the long-term, it's great and great thing but our community's desire is really to welcome people into our community and help people to do better in life.''

She said this year was the seventh event of its kind for the church.