Sunbury Neighbourhood Kitchen is inviting everyone to enjoy its cooking to celebrate its fourth birthday.
At the charity’s annual fundraiser, Pay It 4ward, volunteers will provide a three-course buffet meal in return for a minimum donation of $40 a head.
Co-founder Marianne Williams said a $40 contribution would “pay forward” about 10 meals for those who reach out to the charity.
Mrs Williams said she hoped the community would rally around the event to support the group’s work.
“This is what helps us keep going for the year,” she said. “Every cent goes back into the Sunbury community. We don’t have any administration costs. Not one person gets paid.”
Sunbury Neighbourhood Kitchen was started four years ago when Mrs Williams and her husband, Neil, wanted to make use of leftovers from their catering and party hire company. The group started as a Rotary Club of Sunbury project.
But Mrs Williams said the organisation had come a long way since then.
“We grew from four or five volunteers and a handful of guests,” she said. “Now 60 volunteers serve meals to 175 people every Monday night.”
Last year, Sunbury Neighbourhood Kitchen became a stand-alone charity, with Mrs Williams saying the organisation had grown to feed more than just the homeless.
“When we started, we thought hunger was all we were going to be dealing with, but there’s more to it,” she said.
“Isolation is a huge factor … connection is really important for an individual in Sunbury.”
Mrs Williams said both guests and volunteers came to the kitchen seeking companionship.
“That’s what is mainly needed in our town,” she said. “Some people come in to mentor others and sit there just to have a chat.”
Pay it 4Ward will take place from 5.15-8.30pm on Tuesday, October 3, at Sunbury Neighbourhood House. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/RVHD or contact Marianne 0419 369 446.
