Taree Community Kitchen volunteer Ruth Sumpner praises the social benefits the kitchen brings to the Manning community on weekday lunches from noon to 1pm. 

Ruth said volunteering is her way of “paying it forward” after her life was devastated by a house fire.

“I will never be able to repay the help that was given to me, so now I help others.” 

Fellow volunteers Walter Tiskins and Bev Wiley said helping is their way of giving back to the community. 

Walter, who is a keen cook, likes the challenge of developing meals from the food donations. 

The CatholicCare run kitchen, has recently received a re-vamp, along with an extension of meal days from three days to five. 

This was made possible by a $30,000 grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation. 

The foundation’s chairman Mark Slater said the grant, “recognises the important service Taree Community Kitchen offers, in providing meals to people in a position of disadvantage”. 

To mark the official opening a marquee was erected in Fotheringham Park for a community celebration on Wednesday, November 2. 

Welcome to country was performed by David Russell, along with a cultural performance by Taree High School students. The official ribbon was cut by Mr Slater, federal member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Vicar General Fr Brian Mascord and CatholicCare Social Service Hunter-Manning director Helga Smit. 

The community kitchen has been operating in the area for 30 years and in December CatholicCare took over the management of the kitchen. 

“Anyone of any age is welcome to come for a meal,” director Helga Smit said. “It’s a safe place where people will listen to you. 

“We get food donations from fantastic local businesses, which are cooked into healthy, nutritious meals by our volunteers,” she said. 

Helga said the kitchen is also a soft entry point for those in need to access formal support services. 

The kitchen is always on the lookout for volunteers and donations. Interested people can call Taree CatholicCare on 6539 5900.