ARMIDALE’S branch of the Salvation Army plans on serving more than a thousand meals every year and has been rewarded with a new industrial dishwasher.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall gave the Salvos $2750 last week to assist with the purchase.
With the recent re-launch of the kitchen, the Salvation Army has been overwhelmed with the response from the local community, serving between 60-80 meals each Wednesday at lunchtime in the Beardy Street premises.
This demand has meant volunteers have been spending up to two hours washing up after lunch.
“With the numbers of clients increasing and new kitchen health guidelines to meet, it was imperative that the Salvation Army received some help to purchase an industrial dishwasher,” Mr Marshall said.
“I was only too happy to contact the Premier’s office and ask for some funding to help with this purchase. The Salvation Army is deserving of this assistance as they are always there to help the marginalised members of our community.”
Lieutenant Ged Oldfield said the dishwasher was a must for the kitchen and he was very grateful Mr Marshall was able to offer financial assistance.
“We have been serving up to 80 meals on a Wednesday and we expect to have served more than 1280 meals before the end of the year, so the new dishwasher will make work in the kitchen so much easier for all our volunteers,” Lt Oldfield said.
