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Mildura’s Soup Kitchen enjoys Christmas bash

Posted on December 30, 2011

CHRISTMAS represents many things for many different people.

Volunteers Jill Treen, Janet Rhmer, Annie Prideaux, Irymple Inner Wheel representative, Anne Parker, Karen Bozinovski and Adelene Helbig prepare to enjoy the feast.

For some it’s a time for religion and prayer, while for others it’s all about good food, good wine and good company.

Christmas is also an opportunity to give something back to the community – a belief firmly embraced by a dedicated group of volunteers at Mildura’s Soup Kitchen ‘n’ More.

Now in its third year, the Soup Kitchen was formed to assist Sunraysia’s disadvantaged, with volunteers meeting on a regular basis to cook a hot meal, and provide company to those in need.

As with any group or organisation, traditions soon form, with the Soup Kitchen’s Christmas dinner now an annual highlight for participants and volunteers alike.

Held at the group’s Lime Avenue headquarters last Monday night, this year’s dinner saw close to 30 people attend, with the staff of volunteers providing a roast chicken and ham meal, followed by a sumptuous dessert.

Three of the attendees – Irene, Chloe and Leonie Crouch – were also keen to embrace the Christmas spirt, providing a decorative cake for all to enjoy.

“We organised for a friend of ours to make it (the cake),” Chloe said. “And it’s just our way of saying thanks.”

The dinner was provided thanks to donations from a number of local businesses and community organisations – including the Irymple Inner Wheel group who contributed $100 to the cause – Soup Kitchen ‘n’ More coordinator, Annie Prideaux, said the night was also a chance to thank volunteers for their efforts throughout the year.

“We entered a rather difficult period at the start of the year, with a large number of our original group of volunteers finishing up and moving on to other projects,” she said.

“It was amazing to see the number of local residents who put their hands up to volunteer for our group.

“Our new batch of volunteers have been tremendous, and have brought much to our group.”

Annie said that following Monday’s dinner, the Soup Kitchen would now enjoy their Christmas and New Year’s break, before re-opening on January 30.

She encouraged potential volunteers and supporters of the program to continue helping the Soup Kitchen in the future, with more information available by contacting 0418 616 628 or 5051 0016.

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