April 17, 2025
A community-based project to supply a free, hot meal every Wednesday night in Kingaroy celebrated its first birthday on Wednesday.
About 45 people gathered around tables to enjoy their weekly get-together and games at the Salvation Army meeting room at 109 Kingaroy Street (next door to the Salvos store).
Even more people dropped in for takeaways …
The menu changes every week, but this week it was tacos, plus a slice of birthday cake, of course!
The South Burnett Support Alliance launched the “Community Supporting The Community” meals project in April last year, prompted by the success of a similar community-based service in Dalby.
A different community group or business takes responsibility every week, co-ordinated by the Alliance.
The meals are always served at the Salvos’ hall, and for the 1st Birthday celebration, Salvation Army volunteers took over the cooking.
Alliance secretary Marietta Wetzig said Wednesday was the 52nd free meal which had been served up since that first night on April 17, 2024.
A total of 35 different groups have put up their hands to provide a meal over that time, including local businesses, Taabinga State School, St John’s Lutheran School, St Mary’s Catholic College and other not-for-profit groups.
And you don’t have to be a good cook to help! On a couple of occasions, groups had simply donated money to pay Endeavour Kitchen to provide the meals, rather than doing the food preparation themselves.
The South Burnett Support Alliance has 10 core members and about 16 volunteers.
Marietta said the number of people receiving a meal had steadily grown over the past 12 months.
The group encouraged people to come in, sit down and enjoy a meal and a chat with others.
“It’s good for social connection,” she said.
“It’s something to look forward to; it’s like having a family meal once a week where you can sit at a table and have a conversation.
“It’s good for mental health.”
However, people don’t have to sit down at a table to eat … they can also just slip in quietly, pick up a meal and leave.
“The homeless and hungry are grateful because they can get a meal and then go off,” Marietta said.
She wanted to thank the businesses which had supported the project over the past 12 months, including Astills Electrical, ATC Engineers, AMG Electrical and Woolworths.
The Glendon Street Cafe had donated milk every week.
“Bega was awesome at Christmas, making up over 100 hampers which we could hand out,” Marietta said.
Marietta said she was hoping more local groups and businesses could get involved.
Anyone interested, can contact the Alliance via their Facebook page or phone 0418-156-547.
Footnote: At the end of August last year, the South Burnett Support Alliance supported the start of a similar initiative, fortnightly on Wednesday nights in Blackbutt, run in conjunction with the Blackbutt-Benarkin Lions Club. The Alliance also organises a free lunch every Sunday, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, in O’Neill Square, Kingaroy.
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This is a huge achievement and we, South Burnett Support Alliance are very grateful that there are people out there who care about others. We know times are tough, and yet groups of friends, charities and businesses reach out to help others. This is what makes the South Burnett such a great place to live.