“WE serve over 100 meals each week to people in the community who are struggling to put food on the table and to see that weight lifted off their shoulders is its own reward,” Maree Thompson, who volunteers at Mount Gambier’s Sunset Community Kitchen, told The Border Watch this week.
“People are so grateful to have one less thing to worry about, even if it’s only that one meal.”
A sense of community spirit is palpable at the John Frew Centre on Monday and Wednesday evenings as volunteers prepare and dish up meals for locals in need.
“We do take away meals on the Monday night and people stay for dinner on Wednesday nights,” Ms Thompson said.
“Often we provide fruit or snacks for people to take home as well, which is good for school lunch boxes.”
Ms Thompson and fellow volunteer Kristy McKinnon spoke to The Border Watch ahead of next week’s Sunset Community Kitchen annual general meeting.
“All members of the community are welcome to attend our AGM on Tuesday,” Ms McKinnon said.
“It is an opportunity for anyone to come along and hear what we have achieved in the last 12 months and an awesome way to find out what’s involved.”
Ms McKinnon said volunteering at the community kitchen was a fulfilling experience.
“I remember I came to check it out for the first time one night during Winter and as soon as I arrived someone offered me a meal,” she laughed.
“It makes you feel so good to know giving up only a little of your time helps someone else so much.
“It’s only a couple of hours on a six week rotation, so you end up either in the kitchen or serving maybe four or five times a year.”
Ms Thompson said the not-for-profit organisation relied on the generosity of businesses and individuals.
“We always welcome food donations and even little things,” she said.
“Everyone has an excess of plastic bags and we can always do with more of those, or we always need foil takeaway containers.”
She said there were a number of ways to support the Sunset Community Kitchen beyond donating food.
“We have volunteers who are unavailable to prepare meals in the kitchen so they pick up food for us each week,” Ms Thompson said.
Mount Gambier and District Community Bank this week donated $2000 to the organisation to purchase a new electric stove.
“The donation will cover the cost of purchase, but if anyone with know-how is willing to install the stove we would love to hear from them,” Ms Thompson said.
The Sunset Community Kitchen AGM will be held on July 18 from 6pm at the John Frew Centre.
RSVP to Liz Wheeler on 0488 528 709.
