THE gifts of food and friendship will be shared with more than 100 Sunraysia people who, without the Salvation Army's Christmas lunch, would spend the holiday alone or hungry.

The Salvation Army's annual lunch is one of more than 20 free events held for Victorians experiencing homelessness or doing it tough this festive season.

Major Debbie Serojales said some people couldn't afford a Christmas meal because of rising costs and the lunch was one way to make sure everyone had a happy Christmas.

"Everything costs so much, there's some beautiful meals happening in the community but for many people it's a bit out of their reach," she said.

"And it's not just about the food, it's about the friendships you can make in that time as well."

Council to Homeless Persons said demand for festive meal events were expected to rise sharply this year as the housing and cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.

Chief executive officer Deborah Di Natale said the annual free meal events were a relief to people doing it tough at this time of year.

"This can be a difficult time of year for a lot of people, so we hope catching up and enjoying a meal together can make it that little bit easier," she said.

"With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to hit low-income people incredibly hard, we hope this will provide just a small bit of relief."

Ms Di Natale said the events were expected to be very well attended this year, given the "once-in-a-generational rental crisis".

"That underscores the urgent need for the state government to invest in at least 6000 social housing dwellings a year for at least the next decade," she said.

The Salvation Army Christmas lunch begins at noon on the corner of Fourteenth and Etiwanda Avenue.

Registrations have closed, but the organisation is open to more volunteers. It comes after a church service at 9.30am and morning tea.