Griffith’s own mobile soup kitchen is desperately fighting to save itself from financial ruin.
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On Monday, December 5 the committee behind Griffith’s Carevan came to the disheartening realisation their carefully managed funds were coming to an end.
For the past three years volunteers have provided meals, support and guidance to those in the community who need it most but now a lack of donations means they only have six weeks worth of money left.
It was ‘devastating’ news for Carevan’s co-ordinator Cassandra Irvin who said 80 per cent of those the volunteers served were children.
No strangers to disappointment, the crowd gathered waiting for Carevan on Wednesday took the news philosophically as volunteers informed them they could no longer provide extra food to be taken home.
As the night’s menu of sausages and mashed potato was carefully eaten by young children perched on the asphalt they explained exactly what the Carevan meant to them.
“I would feel sad if the Carevan couldn’t come anymore,” admitted one 10-year-old boy. “Because we would stop having food and meeting new friends and the Carevan workers.”
His comments were echoed by the children sitting around him who said an end to Carevan would mean they would have to spend precious money on food.
“I like being able to take some food home for my family,” one nine-year-old girl said, explaining how she and her three siblings would share one meal between them when they were hungry.
But it is not just the food leaving a hole in the community should Carevan close its doors.
One elderly woman explained the van’s regulars have come to depend on the companionship and support offered.
The Carevan committee has not given up yet though and are imploring the community to donate $1 a week from their wages to help them purchase food.
Doante at Carevan Wage Donation Trust Account – Westpac BSB: 032 750 AN: 544 468.