{"id":359645,"date":"2025-04-17T13:27:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T03:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=359645"},"modified":"2025-04-19T19:29:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T09:29:19","slug":"meals-night-celebrates-1st-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/04\/17\/meals-night-celebrates-1st-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Meals Night Celebrates 1st Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South Burnett Support Alliance volunteers Claire Murray, Kingaroy; secretary Marietta Wetzig and Bek Boldorac, Ellesmere, with South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff, second from left, at Wednesday night’s 1st Birthday celebration<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 17, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

A community-based project to supply a free, hot meal every Wednesday night in Kingaroy celebrated its first birthday on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

Even more people dropped in for takeaways …<\/p>\n

The menu changes every week, but this week it was tacos, plus a slice of birthday cake, of course!<\/p>\n

The South Burnett Support Alliance launched the \u201cCommunity Supporting The Community\u201d meals project in April last year, prompted by the success of a similar community-based service in Dalby.<\/p>\n

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

The meals are always served at the Salvos’ hall, and for the 1st Birthday celebration, Salvation Army volunteers took over the cooking.<\/p>\n

Alliance secretary Marietta Wetzig said Wednesday was the 52nd free meal which had been served up since that first night on April 17, 2024.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The South Burnett Support Alliance has 10 core members and about 16 volunteers.<\/p>\n

Marietta said the number of people receiving a meal had steadily grown over the past 12 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

“It’s good for social connection,” she said.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“It’s good for mental health.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The homeless and hungry are grateful because they can get a meal and then go off,” Marietta said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Glendon Street Cafe had donated milk every week.<\/p>\n

“Bega was awesome at Christmas, making up over 100 hampers which we could hand out,” Marietta said.<\/p>\n

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

Anyone interested, can contact the Alliance via their\u00a0Facebook page<\/a>\u00a0or phone 0418-156-547.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019Neill Square, Kingaroy.<\/em><\/p>\n

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