Troy Jarrett will continue to run the U-Choose Soup Kitchen for another month.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Following a positive response during the month of June, the U-Choose Independent Support Services Soup Kitchen will continue throughout July.
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The soup kitchen began as a collaboration with the Echuca Moama Community Project's Coat and Blanket Drive.
While the coat and blanket drive will no longer be running, the soup kitchen will continue to offer warm meals for those in need or may be struggling to source meals this winter.
The soup kitchen is led by U-Choose support worker Troy Jarrett, who said the project had been successful so far.
“No-one likes to admit that they’re struggling, but I think it’s been really successful,” he said.
“It’s been really good to see people that you know are struggling, feeling more and more comfortable as the weeks have gone on.
“They started off a little bit shy, but you know, they’re sitting down now and having a yarn, it’s (very) feel-good.”
Sebastian Mubariz with one of the many meals served at the soup kitchen.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Over the month of June, Mr Jarrett and a few U-Choose clients and staff have been prepping meals out of the Bar Lee kitchen every Tuesday to serve on Thursday mornings.
As guests gathered for the coat and blanket drive, they were also able to enjoy a warm meal out of the cold and take a few containers of food home if they needed to.
Every Thursday the menu changed, featuring meals such as pumpkin soup, pumpkin-based pasta, bolognese and minestrone.
The variety will also continue throughout July, as Mr Jarrett continues to find different recipes to serve.
Mr Jarrett said U-Choose decided to extend the soup kitchen after seeing the need for it in the community.
“We just figured that people don't just struggle through one month of the year, it’s sort of ongoing,” he said.
“So, as a company we decided ... to just give back for a little bit longer.
“It was definitely seen that it was needed.”
The U-Choose soup kitchen will be open every Thursday during July from 11.30am until 2pm at the St Mary’s Parish Hall, 224 Anstruther St, Echuca.
A limited supply of warm items will still be available while the soup kitchen is open.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Although the coat and blanket drive has officially wrapped up for this year, there will still be one or two racks of coats for those who may need them, while the soup kitchen is open.
The remaining donations will be packed up and put into storage, except for clothing such as jumpers, which will be donated to op shops to avoid mould or damage.
In August, the U-Choose soup kitchen will pass the baton to Anglicare Echuca, which will be running its own soup kitchen during August.
The Anglicare soup kitchen will also be held at the St Mary’s Parish Hall, but will be held every Tuesday and Thursday of August except for Thursday, August 28.
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