JUNEE’S Open Kitchen will return next week after volunteers signed up to provide food, fun and friendship to the people who need it.
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Started by Carole Windsor and Annette Turk four and a half years ago, the event went into recess at the end of last year.
Junee’s John Foord has put in the legwork to recover the event believing it was provided more than just some food, but brought people into the community, from those who were in need, to people who lived alone or who struggled affording to live day to day.
He said the response had been incredibly positive.
“A dozen volunteers have come forward,” Mr Foord said.
“We can get it back up and running on Tuesday February 9.”
The event will now be held on a Tuesday at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Denison Street from 5.15pm with dinner served at 6pm.
“It’s not just a meal, it’s fun and fellowship,” Mr Foord said.
“We’re dividing volunteers into teams so groups only have to work once a month.
“There’s a lot of new volunteers plus some of the old volunteers.
“I would like to thank those that have volunteered and St Luke’s who have made their facilities available.
“I had people caling me to say they wanted to volunteer following an article in the Southern Cross.
“Without the volunteers this outreach wouldn’t be possible,” Mr Foord said.
Much of the food which was served was provided through donations and Mr Foord said he was meeting with community groups and businesses to secure their support.
He said Junee’s churches had volunteered to provide dessert once a month for Open Kitchen, making it much easier for the volunteers.
“It’s a huge help, our group of volunteers only have to concenrate on one meal,” Mr Foord said.
Junee’s Anglican parish rector Glen McDonald said supporting Open Kitchen was part of the church’s mission.
“It’s supporting those in the community who need food and friendship,” Reverend McDonald said.
“People who may not have contact with a lot of people, either through social or financial circumstances.
“One of the problems in our society is through decisions or circumstance, people get excluded.
“Part of the church’s mission is to extend God’s grace to those outside the community.”
Reverend McDonald said the role of the church was to invite people in and into the community.
“It’s sharing their lives, showing them that their lives have value and they are valued as people,” he said.