Community meal praised

The co-ordinator of the St John’s Uniting Church Monday night community meal has expressed a huge thank you to the volunteers who make this possible.

Speaking during National Volunteer Week, Glen Davidson said he is always amazed at the enthusiasm, energy and commitment toward providing the best community meal experience possible.

Each week starts off with food being picked up from Coles, Aldi and Bakers Delight by the volunteer team.

On Monday morning the cooking supervisor then looks through the food available and finalises that night's menu, and then purchases any missing ingredients.

At about 1pm the hall set up team come in and set up the tables and chairs in readiness for that night’s meal.

Meanwhile the commercial kitchen at the St Philips Anglican hall is bursting into life with the cooking team starting the meal preparation.

Back at St John's, a team sorts through the donated food. Excess food is put out on tables for distribution to people who will attend the meal.

By 5pm the cooking team has finished and a team comes in to transport the hotbox from the Anglican kitchen to St John’s.

Around 5.15pm the serving team arrives and works out how best to plate up the food and then proceeds to serve the meal to diners from 5.30pm.

During the meal, people are welcomed, plates of food are served and cleaned up, dishes are washed and packed away, and finally the tables and chairs are stacked away and the hall completely cleaned.

“I believe the community spirit developed over a shared meal changes both our lives and the lives of the people who come to the meal – and for that – we say a huge thank you for everything you do!” said Glen to the 50 volunteers who help out.

“I hope you enjoy National Volunteer week.”