Given just how much time members spend in the community helping in whatever way they can, it was only natural that the Bundaberg Lions Club would find a way to help others who are also lending a hand to those in need.
Bundaberg Lions Club secretary Alan Williams said the club was proud to once again be supporting the hard-working volunteers of Andy’s Place and The Harvest Kitchen with a monetary donation and also has the support of Aldi’s with some food donations.
“Given that Andy’s Place and The Harvest Kitchen operate without a large amount of support, so every little bit helps,” he said.
“As we have seen in our region, the need never stops and these volunteers are always there to support those in need.
“We welcome the support of Aldi and we would like to invite others to become involved with small donations of anything that would help, just contact the Bundaberg Lions Club, as it would be great support for these local community-based groups if we could run a project like this once a year.”
Thanking everyone for their support, Mr Williams highlighted that this was just one of the small projects Bundaberg Lions Club does.
“It takes a lot of sausage sizzles, Melbourne Cup sweep tickets or Christmas cake sales and many hours of volunteering to raise funds to help these deserving causes.”
Andy’s Place is an activity fulfilled by volunteers from the Bundaberg Uniting Church and is continuing to service those in need four times a week.
This means serving meals on Monday for breakfast between 7am and 8am, Monday and Friday lunch between midday and 1pm and Wednesday night dinner between 6pm and 7pm.
Andy’s Place management committee secretary Robyn Ballantyne said recently celebrated their 25th birthday with clients, having been operational since 23 June 1999.
“In this time, we have served 119,500 meals for those in need in our community and an increase in clients this year has seen us serving nearly 4000 meals already,” she said.
“The highest number of meals we have served on a Wednesday night has been 130 with lunch and breakfast meals at 30 and in the month of May alone we served 666 meals.
“This has only been possible by the generosity of our volunteers who have given their time and also to the many people, businesses and organisations who have given funds to support our operation.
“We especially thank Bundaberg Lions Club for their continuing support with us and we thank them for their recent donation of a $500 Aldi voucher to assist with purchasing of goods towards the meals for the clients.”
Harvest Kitchen, held every Tuesday at 5pm by the Living Word Bundaberg Church also provides nutritious home-cooked meals and supports their community by meeting the basic needs of those in need.
Seniors ministers Ps Daniel and Shakeera Jones said Tenika, who has found Jesus and friendship by sharing a home-cooked meal around the table, shares her testament on how Harvest Kitchen has enriched her well-being.
“Every Tuesday night, my daughter and I go to Harvest Kitchen for dinner and the meals are beautiful and yummy and I’m so proud of the chefs,” Tenika said.
“Every week there is a different amazing meal like chicken and rice, lasagna, vegetables, potato bake, and rissoles.
“Beyond the meals, Harvest Kitchen has offered us kindness, prayer, and support. We have faith and community at the church, which has been a saving grace.
“We attend church every Wednesday and Sunday, and it brings us peace, we can’t get enough! I’ve met a wonderful group of ladies who are now my friends, and I can talk to the leaders and ladies about what I’m going through.
“They support and encourage me and my daughter, helping us cope with life’s stresses.
“Harvest Kitchen is a blessing, providing us with nourishment, encouragement, and peace in our lives.“
