SecondBite: Official Charity Partner Of A Christmas Carol

The five-time Tony Award® winner and West End hit theatre production is dedicating its 2024 season to helping us raise essential funds that will provide fresh, nutritious food to people experiencing food insecurity this Christmas. 

On 22 November, A Christmas Carol returns to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre for a third triumphant season, in what has become Melbourne’s newest Christmas tradition. And in the spirit of Christmas, audiences at every performance will be encouraged to contribute what they can to assist SecondBite.

The feel-good musical stars Erik Thomson – one of Australia’s most loved stars across film, television and theatre – in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, and made to see the error of his ways.

Here are a few of the reasons why SecondBite and A Christmas Carol are a match made in heaven.

The classic Dickens story is set in a time of abject poverty. Although much has changed since then, it is Dickensian that 56% of Australians have had to make difficult choices between food and other expenses due to limited financial resources this year, and that 30% have skipped at least one meal to save money*.

The classic Dickens story revolves around food and the power it has in connecting communities, especially at Christmas. SecondBite has been doing just that, helping communities in need –at Christmas and throughout the year – for 19 years, rescuing surplus, quality food and redistributing it to community and charity organisations that provide meals to people facing food insecurity.

The classic Dickens story delivers a powerful message about sharing and looking out for each other.

As a charity, SecondBite relies on generous donations to provide the equivalent of 50 million meals a year to people across Australia. This support will not only feed people in need. It will spread the joy of the festive season.

“The generosity of the public and the theatrical community will make a tangible difference for many individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity this Christmas,” says SecondBite founder Simone Carson.

“This collaboration shows that the magic of theatre can go beyond entertainment and support people in our communities who are doing it tough.”

The production runs from now until the end of December. Bring some Yuletide cheer to your festive season and get your tickets here.

Or if this article has already instilled some festive cheer in you, please consider supporting our A Christmas Carol fundraising efforts here.

* YouGov survey of 1,562 Australians 18+, June 2024