EAGER but orderly lines formed on Tuesday night inside the Kangaroo Flat’s Rotary Club as volunteers served up a Christmas in July feast.<\/p>\n
The club has run the community meals program since 2017 but co-president Judy Kidman said demand had increased this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe probably never had any more than 40 the first few years, this year we serve 70 plus every Tuesday night,\u201d Ms Kidman said.<\/p>\n
The program had come a long way from its beginnings and had now evolved into a supportive community.<\/p>\n
It was started with backing from Kangaroo Flat\u2019s community enterprise and St John of God church.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people when it first started had you know the soup kitchen mentality, but it\u2019s got a really nice feel about it now, people comment on that especially,\u201d said Ms Kidman.<\/p>\n
Volunteers tried a lot of things to improve the atmosphere in the beginning but credited the current community spirit to experimentation with table numbers following the COVID pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounds trivial, but it really was a big deal,\u201d Ms Kidman said.<\/p>\n
After much trial and error, organisers landed on the idea that table numbers would be set and there would be a weekly lottery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a ball girl now to pull out the numbers, it\u2019s a lucky table draw,\u201d said Ms Kidman.<\/p>\n
Another initiative started was to give out gold stars to the table numbers that cleared their plates after meals.<\/p>\n
According to Ms Kidman these small efforts to create a positive environment for people encouraged a sense of fun and belonging at the program.<\/p>\n
The community meals program also helps give volunteers a sense of purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a feel-good thing you do,\u201d said Ms Kidman, \u201cit\u2019s very satisfying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regular visitors at the community dinners keep returning because they enjoy the food and can find social and emotional connection.<\/p>\n
One diner said she attended regularly to save money on food but that it was also a chance for her and her son to get out and socialise.<\/p>\n
Another said he attended because he was able to get access to Haven Homesafe, who regularly have volunteers in attendance and without their support, and the dinners, he\u2019d be lost.<\/p>\n
Meals are currently prepared by Kangaroo Flat Sports Club and desserts and bread are donated by Bridgewater Bakery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EAGER but orderly lines formed on Tuesday night inside the Kangaroo Flat’s Rotary Club as volunteers served up a Christmas in July feast. The club has run the community meals program since 2017 but co-president Judy Kidman said demand had increased this year. \u201cWe probably never had any more than 40 the first few years, […]<\/p>\n