At a meeting of combined charities in year 2000, Sister Marjorie McLachlan (meeting secretary) spoke of the many people in our community who suffer from homelessness, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency, loneliness and lack of guidance. From that meeting a committee comprising six people was formed to investigate the possibility of setting up a Soup Kitchen to provide free, wholesome food and a support network for these vulnerable members of our community. On Monday, March 12, 2001, due to the generosity of the Catholic Men’s Club, the group were able to use the clubhouse and all its facilities and an initial fifteen meals were served from the Soup Kitchen. Over the next three years a massive amount of work was required to be undertaken. The kitchen was named, registered as a charity and became incorporated along with numerous other commitments relating to taxation, insurance and fundraising. At the same time, at a cost of $24,000, the kitchen facilities were upgraded to satisfy government health regulations. During this period, each Monday, the kitchen served meals to more than one hundred people. Our dedicated workers begin their day at 5.30am for set up and by 7.30am the basic food preparation is well underway. Meals are served between 10.00am and 1.00pm followed by a lengthy clean-up. Other services offered by the Soup Kitchen include providing clothing, non-perishable food, a portable library system and information about local community services. On any Monday between 150 and 191 people attend the Soup Kitchen and worker numbers have increased to a group of 20 volunteers. Fundraising has increased from a weekly garage sale to a permanent Opportunity Shop on Hastings River Drive and has proven a great success. Three of the foundation members of the committee — Sister Marjorie, Bryan Longhurst and Frank Flockton, who form the executive body of the organisation, are amongst those celebrating the 10-year anniversary. Throughout the entire operation, Sister Marjorie has been the driving force behind the kitchen. Sister Marjorie is an inspiring woman who is highly respected and admired by all the volunteers and visitors alike. The usage of the Soup Kitchen portrays the incredible need in our community for this facility. All of the success would not be possible without the magnificent help, support and donations from business houses and the general public. We are all very proud of our service and of our volunteers. This history of our Kitchen would not be complete without an individual thank you to Fredo’s Meat plus Ted Purcell and his fellow members of the Catholic Men’s Club. Frank
