The Sunbury Neighbourhood Kitchen (SNK) is back up and feeding locals who need a hand every Monday night, but they need some help at the stove.
Once a week from 5pm to 6.30pm, the SNK runs out of the Memorial Hall on Stawell Street, providing meals to those facing a tough time.
Marianne Williams – who alongside her husband Neil was awarded an Order of Australia medal last month for their work with the SNK – is calling for more cooks and chefs to donate their time to the cause.
“We would like to reach out to the chefs or the cooks who are owners or work at a restaurant that want to lend a hand and run our kitchen for the day,” she said.
The kitchen kicked off again on February 7, and Ms Williams said demand continues to surge as the cost of living hits hip pockets and families feel further financial strain.
“There’s people who wouldn’t think would be in need who are in need now, it could be any of us,” she said.
“There’s always a point of life where there will be a low time and that’s where we come in and support that. We have found there are more people and new faces are popping in every week.”
Like a lighthouse in a storm, the SNK weekly kitchen is often peoples’ first port of call when times are tough – Ms Williams said it makes it easier for attendees to reach out to other support services once they’ve accepted help for the first time.
“The service we provide [shows] them… they are not alone and there is support out there,” she said.
Chefs or cooks interested in getting involved should contact: 0419 369 446
Elsie Lange
