{"id":353482,"date":"2024-10-11T10:51:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T00:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=353482"},"modified":"2024-10-11T11:09:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T01:09:07","slug":"alliance-celebrates-meals-milestone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/10\/11\/alliance-celebrates-meals-milestone\/","title":{"rendered":"Alliance Celebrates Meals Milestone"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Emma Wostear and Emma Brown, from Pakaderinga Feedlot, were volunteering on Wednesday night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 11, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

A community-based project to supply a free, hot meal every Wednesday night in Kingaroy celebrated its six-month anniversary this week.<\/p>\n

The South Burnett Support Alliance launched the “Community Supporting The Community” meals project in April, prompted by the success of a similar community-based service in Dalby.<\/p>\n

The meals are served up every week in the Salvation Army meeting room at 109 Kingaroy Street (next door to the Salvos store).<\/p>\n

A different group takes responsibility every week, co-ordinated by the Alliance.<\/p>\n

Alliance secretary Marietta Wetzig said that during the past 26 weeks, meals had been provided by local businesses, schools, charities, not-for-profit groups, service clubs, the QCWA … and even a group of friends.<\/p>\n

“The exciting thing is that the company who are doing it tonight – Pakaderinga Feedlot – had so much fun last time they are coming back to do it again!” Marietta said.<\/p>\n

Meals are either served as sit-down dinners or takeaways.<\/p>\n

Marietta said on average about 35 meals were served at the tables every Wednesday, while there were another 70 to 80 pick-ups.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The group encouraged people to come in, sit down and enjoy a meal a meal and chat with others.<\/p>\n

However, they also recognised that some families felt embarrassed, so people could also just slip in quietly, pick up a meal and leave.<\/p>\n

The six-month anniversary was marked with a cake, proudly celebrating 26 weeks of free meals.<\/p>\n

Marietta said she was hoping more local groups and businesses could get involved, including local sporting clubs.<\/p>\n

Anyone interested, can contact the Alliance via their Facebook page<\/a> or phone 0418-156-547.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Footnote: At the end of August, 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.<\/em><\/p>\n