Star Weekly is looking back at the best stories of last year and this is one of them.
It is the season of giving back and one local family is doing just that, by baking an elaborate gingerbread house for charity.
Keilor woman Cecilia Le, with the help of her two children, created a unique gingerbread house which was sold at auction for $350, with all of the proceeds going to Foodbank.
Ms Le said she wanted to teach her children the true meaning of Christmas, which is a time for compassion and generosity.
“My kids are now at the age of five and seven so they can start to help me make these houses which I used to bake and sell a lot of,” she said.
“I wanted to build some new traditions for Christmas time and teach them that it is not just about gifting and toys, it is about helping others and being kind.
“They helped me build it and put it together, so this is something really special that they worked on to help other people.”
Ms Le said the gingerbread house has taken a few weeks to finish, complete with edible lace, LED lights, a Christmas tree, gingerbread people and is filled with candy and intricate details.
Ms Le said Foodbank which is based in Yarraville needs all the help it can get.
“I heard that more than 600,000 people are struggling to make ends meet and are in debt and really struggling with Christmas.
“And I have already been working with Foodbank to donate food and they said they needed quite a lot more this year .”
Australian company 1835i will be matching the donation bringing the total to $700.
Details: shoutforgood.com/auctions/gingerbreadhouse2023
Jennifer Pittorino
