A lunch program that feeds thousands of people a year will be able to continue the work it has done since 2003 with the help of a $45,000 grant from the state government.
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After successfully lobbying for the funding Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said the lunch program run by Warrawong Community Centre and volunteers, who contribute 3000 hours a year, will be able to continue to feed 60 people a day.
The centre's lunch program was under threat of closing until Mr Scully pleaded with the NSW Government to help keep it going.
He said it served more than 9000 meals a year to disadvantaged people who might otherwise go without.
And told the story of how some people walk all the way from Berkeley to get a meal because they couldn't afford a bus and would go without food if they didn't make the trek.
The service at Warrawong Community Centre also helps people access other support such as early intervention. And helps break down social isolation.
"It is an incredibly good service and important service because for some people this is their only meal of the day".
"What we have to do now is work out how we can put this on a more sustainable footing so this is the kind of service that doesn't disappear".
Mr Scully acknowledged Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward for being receptive to his representations.
"When I heard the program was under threat because its funding was to be discontinued, I was determined to make sure that the Centre's doors were going to remain open," he said.
"Warrawong and its surrounding suburbs not only rank around the most socially and economically disadvantaged areas in the Wollongong local government area, but they are among the most disadvantaged across the state".
Mr Scully said it was great to be able to announce the good news at the start of anti-poverty week.
Community Worker manager Maxyne Graham said she and the volunteers were very grateful because it will allow the community centre to continue helping people who need help the most.
She said they have been able to keep the lunch program with the help of volunteers and business people who have helped put food on the table with financial or in-kind support. And will welcome more.
"The last for years we have been managing on our own with no government funding but we have been lucky to get some money from Rotary as well as other donations".
"The Commonwealth Bank gave us $1000 two weeks ago which is great because it helps us buy the food. And OzHarvest deliver twice a week. There food is what has kept us going.
"We don't have a worker any more to supervise and organise the volunteers. And this money will allow us to employ a worker and help us cover our admin costs. We have to have volunteer insurance and we rent the premises from council".
"We get 60 people a day. We have people who are on Newstart who can't afford to eat. I spoke to a guy last weeks whose rent is $500 a fortnight and he gets $492 a fortnight".
.Ms Graham said people came to the Warrawong Community Centre from Port Kembla, Primbee and all over the place for a meal.
And they couldn't do it without the volunteers.
"We have five volunteers every day three days a week. They cook, they set up, they pack up and they serve the food. They all have to have health and hygiene training to handle the food which is all made on the premises," she said.
"It is a nutritious meal because it is for people who are not eating. The people who come range from little kids to families and the elderly".
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
