Charity organisation 300 Blankets has called for more volunteers to spend their time supporting individuals in need across Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
President Peter Royce said they has recently restarted their Soul Kitchen service, which is offering three-course meals every Sunday night at the Braybrook Community Hub from 6.45pm to about 8pm.
“We are in the low sixties every week,” he said.
Mr Royce said the service had returned to pre-pandemic levels.
“There’s a number of reasons why people use our service,” he said.
“People range from young kids to elderly locals.
“This is often the only meal they share with someone else.”
Mr Royce said the service provided a social element to people’s lives, as well as helped families and individuals who were struggling with the rising cost of living to make ends meet at the end of each week.
“What we pride ourselves on is creating a family atmosphere,” he said.
The Soul Kitchen service also includes a weekly visit from Orange Sky Laundry, which provides visitors with a free laundry service and a clothing supply service, as well a monthly hairdressing service.
Mr Royce said the organisation was keen to reinvigorate their volunteer base following the COVID-19 pandemic, with those aged 16 to 18 able to volunteer if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“We’d love to have local people involved,” he said.
“We need to expand our pool with some new blood.”
Ad hoc volunteering opportunities, as well as ongoing roles, are available for western Melbourne volunteers.
Mr Royce said there were also volunteering opportunities within the Care Package Program, which involves delivering hundreds of care packages to families and individuals facing financial hardships following the suspension of food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details: contact@300blankets.org.au
