PREPARATION of meals for those in need will be much easier for Sunset Community Kitchen volunteers after benefitting from a recent fundraiser at Blue Lake Public Golf Links.
Joining with The Park Hotel, The South Eastern Hotel and The Mount Gambier Hotel, the event raised $4000 for the community organisation, which will use the funds to upgrade kitchen facilities.
Chairperson Maree Thompson gratefully accepted the cheque from managers of the hotels this week, thanking them for their support and contribution.
“It is just amazing, Bill Burley is wonderful, he is such a great community person and is always raising money for something, we are lucky enough to be the recipients,” she said.
Serving people of all ages who have found themselves homeless with hearty dinners each Monday and Wednesday night, Ms Thompson said it was lovely to be able to have money available to improve the kitchen at Frew Park.
“We have several pieces of equipment that we want to buy, but we’re not 100pc certain what it will go towards, we are thinking maybe a new cool room,” she said.
Wanting to give back to the community, Mount Gambier Hotel manager Jarrad Mutton said the three local Matthews Hotel Group businesses were keen to do their part and help those in need.
“We aren’t all about pokies revenue, we do look for ways to support local events and groups,” he said.
“A lot of people got behind us as well with prizes for the auction on the day and around 40 people attended the event, which really shows people want to help out the community when they can.”
Also eager to attract new volunteers, Ms Thompson said they are currently working on their roster for the new year.
“Monday nights we have one roster of people who cook and package meals for takeaway and on Wednesday nights we have two rosters – a cooking one and a serving one for the sit down meal,” she said.
“Rosters usually work out on an eight week rotation and anyone 16 years and older is welcome to volunteer.”
Contact Ms Thompson on 0418 807 428 for more information.
