September 7th, 2020Soup solace

The Pop Up kitchen in Camp Street offers free soup and bread on a Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm. Apart from the cook who is paid for three hours work, it is entirely operated by volunteers.
Many people in the community have lost all social contact because of the pandemic, for some the only chance they get to talk to people is when they come in for a chat and collect their soup.
Organiser Elaine Anderson said the soup kitchen was about connection and caring for one another through the pandemic. “We happen to be able to do that through soup. It’s about showing we care. I think there is a lot of anxiety and uncertainty in the community now. People are coming here to connect. This time has been difficult for a lot of people.”
The church received a COVID-19 Quick Response Grant from Hepburn Shire Council which has helped pay for the cook and Baker’s Delight donates the bread. About 36 litres of soup is made each week. Sometimes farmers in the district donate vegetables.
“We’ve tried to make it an inviting place with lights and fires. It’s much more than just the soup. We want to give that sense of somehow inviting people back into our homes,” Elaine said.
People are encouraged to order the soup by Monday, 10am, if possible, via https://bit.ly/2ClPOi4

Words & images: Sandy Scheltema