In just three years, Ballarat's Reverse Advent Calendar initiative has gone from a small, community program to a nationwide annual event which has helped feed thousands of residents all around the country.
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But it was the work of Ballarat's Heather Luttrell that saw the collections grow to a point where thousands of boxes full of food and toys have found their way to those most in need.
It's why the program has been named Ballarat's Community Event of the year, announced on Monday night.
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"For me to be able to spread the word to Ballarat, that everything they did has made it the success it's been... if it hadn't been for people embracing the idea, it would still be just my children at home with me filling one box every year," Ms Luttrell says of Ballarat's growing generosity.
The idea of the Reverse Advent Calendar program is for participants to place one item in the box each day in the days before Christmas. Once full, the boxes are brought to York Street Church where they are sorted before being delivered to charities across the city.
The idea, which began with just 80 boxes being distributed to local charities, has proven so popular it has become a popular addition to communities all across the country.
Towns in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT got on board and requests have already been made from other parts of the country for Christmas this year.
