NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro surprised volunteers with the donation during his visit to Taree with Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead on Friday, November 10. CatholicCare staff and Taree Community Kitchen volunteers had gathered at the Victoria Street premises to mark the service of 10,000 meals to vulnerable members of our community since 2015.

Mr Barilaro considers the number of meals served at the kitchen to be a “huge achievement in such a short period of time.”

“It gave me great pleasure to announce $3000 in funding from the NSW government for the community kitchen to purchase a commercial grade fridge to store food collected from local businesses,” Mr Barilaro said.

Mr Bromhead believes the kitchen and volunteers are an asset to our community.

“The Taree Community Kitchen and its volunteers don’t just provide a nourishing meal, they provide care and compassion to those who need it most and that’s why I will continue to provide the support these organisations need.”

The director of CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning, Gary Christensen is “absolutely thrilled” by the donation and says it “will enable us to store food donations and serve delicious, fresh meals to our patrons.”

He says the kitchen opens its doors five days-a-week between noon and 1pm to serve free meals that have been prepared with food donated by numerous businesses in the Manning Valley. It is a service that is needed, that relies on volunteers and CatholicCare is aspiring to swell the ranks of volunteers to enable the kitchen to open seven days-a-week. 

To learn more about Taree Community Kitchen, to become a volunteer, or to offer financial support contact CatholicCare Social Service Hunter-Manning on 02 4979 1120.