A new community kitchen will open in Sunbury next month, aiming to provide additional food relief and address an “increased need.”
An initiative of non-profit organisation Give Until It Hurts, the kitchen will operate each Wednesday night from the Sunbury Youth Centre and is set to open on March 12.
Give Until It Hurts social worker Garnet Jacob said the idea stemmed from talking with attendees at another food relief kitchen in Sunbury, realising that there was a need for another one in the suburb.
“There’s an increased need because there’s only one kitchen … operating on Monday, and I think Friday Salvation Army does it in the afternoon, but there’s no mid-week [kitchen] available for people who are struggling … the ones who really need the additional help and support,” Mr Jacob said.
“I think … that in terms of financial hardship [it’s] rising. The rental market is so high … and people are finding it difficult to get employment and struggling to pay their bills.”
He said the organisation is looking for volunteers for the new kitchen to be added to the roster and at “least a few” volunteers with food handler certification, and that he welcomes support from local businesses.
Mr Jacob said he would like to see support agencies in Sunbury to work collaboratively to “address the needs of our vulnerable community members.”
From March 12, the kitchen will operate from 7–8pm on Wednesdays at the Sunbury Youth Centre, 51-53 Evans Street, Sunbury.
Details: facebook.com/guihorg
Oscar Parry
