Walking past the Southern Mitchell Rotary Recycle Op Shop on a Thursday afternoon, the smell of soup may waft outside inviting people passing by to try the new shop’s soup kitchen initiative.
Every Thursday, from 1pm to 2.30pm, the op shop operates a free soup kitchen alongside its regular operations, providing cups of fresh hot soup and bread along with warm hospitality and conversation.
Op shop manager Lisa Walker suggested the soup kitchen initiative to help support the homeless and those struggling.
Southern Mitchell Rotary president Ian Dempsey said Rotary was looking for ways to build on the op shop’s initiative, established by the former Transition Village.
“Everyone is welcome down for a cup of soup, a bit of a chat and a bit of wellness and mental health benefits,” he said.
“It’s just to support anyone. It really is directed to the homeless but it is for anyone in general that is in need.
“If people are hard up or can’t afford a meal, come in and have a free one on us. We want to look after you.”
Mr Dempsey said the length of the soup kitchen’s operations would be based on need.
“We’ll keep it going. We didn’t get a lot of response last week … but as the word gets out, we hope we’ll get a lot more people turn up,” he said.
“If you want a free cup of soup come down and see us.”
As the weather gets warmer, the options available have the potential to change and could include a cold cup of cordial to accompany another meal.
The option to leave a donation at the soup kitchen station is also available.
The soup kitchen is located inside the Southern Mitchell Rotary Recycle Op Shop building, at 84-86 Sydney Street, Kilmore.
