Drive manager Jarrah Staley said giving up a little time, energy and profits on Christmas Day was an important way his team felt it could make a difference for others less fortunate in the community - and help brighten the morning a little for customers, too.

Mr Staley said this year, Christmas Day coffees to help charity seemed more important than ever. All profits from Drive on Christmas morning, takeaway only, will once again support Ballarat Soup Bus' work with the city's homeless and most needy.

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"It's important to do things like this," Mr Staley said.

"...Soup Bus hasn't been able to run properly for awhile in the same way other charities have been able to get on the ground working with others. We'll be thanking our customers for all their support this year - because of them, we've sort of done quite well, considering the circumstances."

This follows in the tradition led by the team behind FIKA Coffee Brewers and Johnny Alloo, which are donating their Christmas morning sales to Berry Street Christmas Appeal in a bid to help children and families impacted by family violence.

First-time reporting of family violence by Victorian women rose 42 per cent during lockdowns.

Meanwhile, Delish Kebabs and Fish N Chips at Delacombe Town Centre is once again preparing to open for lunch with free food and drinks to people in need on Christmas Day. This is the second yer the shop has served up Christmas lunch to the region's most needy.

Welfare charities across the city have reported a rising need for support throughout the year and particularly at Christmas.

Ballarat Soup Bus has continued to operate five nights a week from its central base at JB Camerons in Armstrong Street. Wednesday mornings at Ballarat East Men's Shed had also become increasingly busy with people stocking up on groceries from the Soup Bus depot.

Works on a second soup bus, bound for Sebastopol, stalled amid the pandemic but the bus is expected to be on the road early in the new year. A third bus to be based in Wendouree is also in planning.

Homelessness is expected to rise by almost 20 per cent in Ballarat an Everybody's Home report released this month showed.

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