By NICOLE VALICEK
A FRIENDLY café that has lent a helping hand to the community by serving more than 14,000 meals is celebrating its eighth birthday.
The Helping Hands Cafe, run by the Williamstown Church of Christ, has provided a free meal, fun and socialising for those in the community who need a helping hand for the last 8 years.
The cafe, which will celebrate its birthday on 21 July, has served 14,000 meals and handed out 4000 free food packages to the most disadvantaged in our community.
The cafe and its dedicated team of up to nine volunteers work to offer guests not only food, but conversation and a warm welcome.
Helping Hand Cafe co-ordinator Robert Adams said he remembers when he walked in the shoes of his guests.
“You know I’ve been where they’ve been, I’ve been homeless, and I understand what it would be like for them,” he said.
“One guy who comes along always says it’s it like a bit family … people feel welcomed, and that makes me feel proud.”
Like Robert some of the volunteers came as guests and are now help out at the cafe as volunteers.
“It gives them something purposeful to do and we get to provide a meal and good company to people who don’t usually have a proper nutritious meal or company at home.”
In the near future they are looking forward to expanding the cafe and using the kitchen to teach people how to cook and all about healthy eating and nutrition.
The cafe is open every Tuesday from 11am-1pm at the corner of Douglas Parade and John St, Williamstown.
