National Volunteer Week (May 16 – 22) is a time to thank the army of volunteers who keep things ticking across Australia, and whom we’d miss dearly if they weren’t giving so selflessly. There are over 10,000 volunteers who serve across the Archdiocese, many in parishes, but also a significant cohort within Centacare and Brisbane Catholic Education. Here is the story of one band of parish-based volunteers making a big difference on the Gold Coast.
IT is a cool and drizzly Sunday afternoon early in May, but a team of around a dozen people are setting up trestle tables to bring some warmth into the lives of those they call ‘family’.
They were all a part of Angel’s Kitchen, an outreach ministry of the Southport Catholic Parish which had been operating largely under the radar since 1993.
Their mission was simple – “to provide a nutritious home-cooked meal each Sunday at no charge to needy people”.
Then, as now, “needy” could cover a multitude of situations; from loneliness to economic and other crisis difficulties, mental health or other health problems.
The other thing that remained unchanged over the years was that no questions were ever asked, and anyone who came to the door was given something to eat.
One of the Angel’s Kitchen Supervisors, George Bent, said his involvement sprang from wanting to stretch his faith beyond that of routine Mass attendance.
“For me personally, it was about wanting to do something more than just sitting around in the pews,” Mr Brent said.
“I applied to Angel’s Kitchen and Rosies Youth on the Streets at the same time, but it was Angel’s Kitchen who called back first.”
It proved a boon for the ministry because he had stayed 17 years, and took over the role of Supervisor from founding member Noela Evans at her retirement in 2017.
“Massive thanks go firstly to our volunteers who selflessly give their time, particularly Tony and Janice Luddington and Alana Laundy who are very instrumental in assisting me in the Supervisor roll,” Mr Brent said.
“Also our very generous parishioners including Guardian Angels School, Sister Elisabeth Keane, Kate Sullivan and all other supporters who are willing to help in cash and kind for this very worthy cause.
“It’s kept us going through the years as our only source of funding , without which we would not be able to function.
“Whether it’s the volunteers, the patrons or the donors, we all like to think of ourselves as one big family.
“You get a certain amount of pleasure from helping people; especially now that we are seeing more and more children and families come through.
“One Sunday we had a young boy in here with his father; they had accommodation but not much else, and we had this Spiderman sleeping bag to give away.
“He was the happiest kid you’ve ever seen, and couldn’t stop smiling and going around thanking everyone.
“A lot of the volunteers here would have the same thought – that those coming through are our ‘family’ because a lot of them don’t have family, and we simply do our best to figure out how we can help them.
“It’s a funny thing but one of the problems we have is that you don’t always know when you have succeeded.
“People have pulled either pulled themselves right or gone into rehab.”
It remained a point of pride for Angel’s Kitchen that a small number of former patrons were always among the volunteers, helping to pay forward the kindness they previously enjoyed.
It was impossible to tell who they were either by dress or demeanour.
On any given Sunday, Angel’s Kitchen had around 10-12 volunteers rostered on and providing meals for a group that could range anywhere from 70-120 people.
Due to COVID-19, Angel’s Kitchen became organised into two teams of volunteers who worked alternate Sundays.
The service was unique in being one of the few outreach ministries that did not close during lockdowns.
If anything, the pandemic only improved the service for patrons.
While sit down meals ceased, the takeaway offerings of bread, fruit, dairy, and now clothes and toiletries packs, had increased.
Over 30 years, it was estimated Angel’s Kitchen served 135,000 meals to patrons at an average of 100 meals per weekend.
It was not stretching the imagination to think this lasting mission might bring a smile to the face of St Vincent de Paul, who founded the Vincentian’s in 17th century France.
Some of his order were based at Southport parish in 1993 when Angels’ Kitchen started and it was they who commissioned parishioners Beverly Power, Noela Evans and Alma Berrigan to run it.
As a consequence of the increased donations of food, clothing, bakery products and other items that have to be bought to and from their allotted room in the Southport Community Centre each Sunday, Angel’s Kitchen was currently in need of a working van and would gratefully welcome any offers of a dependable vehicle from auto dealerships or the public.
