GOULBURN’S homeless needn’t go hungry anymore.
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Breakfast, tea, coffee and company will be on the menu when the Uniting Church opens its Drop-In Centre doors for the first time tomorrow morning.
Plans for a crisis care centre were fast-tracked by news that funding to both Kennedy House men’s hostel and St Anthony Women’s Refuge were slashed, leaving many of the community’s most vulnerable without a bed or basic meal.
Kennedy House has already shut down its service, while St Antony’s is expected to close by the end of October.
Community goodwill alone – and not government funding – is responsible for speedy creation of the Wesley Centre-based service, Uniting Church Minister Julie Furner says.
“There was no question that we had to get on with it. If we’d taken the time we’d originally allowed ourselves, we wouldn’t be open for another 12 months,” she explained.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by people who’ve donated time, clothes and food. It’s been incredible.”
Volunteers will man the Wesley Centre for two hours a morning, seven days a week.
The homeless, poor and hungry are encouraged to take advantage of the breakfast and companionship on offer.
Trappers Bakery, Union Street General Store and Aldi Supermarket have donated food while people like Anne Ryan, Dorothy Keegan, Ron and Mavis Baird and Phil Jeffrey have given of their time to help establish the service.
Their support is allowing the Church to realise an idea first suggested by former minister, Jonathan Barker – albeit sooner than expected.
Word of funding cuts and crisis care closures sparked volunteers and social media into action.
That response will culminate with the Drop-In Centre’s opening at 7am – almost a year ahead of schedule.
“We’ve been able to pull something together,” stand-in Centre coordinator Sue Robinson said.
“One of the gaps we’d identified was that Kennedy House wasn’t meeting all of the needs of the homeless. Some were being turned away because there weren’t enough beds. When we found out it (Kennedy House) was closing, we knew we had to act quickly.”
Dr Robinson credited Goulburn’s selfless attitude for the Drop-In Centre’s opening.
“We’re jumping in blind because we haven’t done this sort of thing before,” she continued.
“People’s response says a lot about the positivity of the community. The response has been amazing.”
The lack of a full-time coordinator or consolidated finances are symptoms of a hasty preparation. The Centre’s management committee is on the hunt for a coordinator and welcomes volunteers and donations.
“We have to approach philanthropic organisations because government funding is closed. We’re also happy to hear from people who want to volunteer or make donations,” Dr Robinson said.
Those interested in volunteering or donating are encouraged to contact Uniting Church Minister Julie Furner on 0403 023 361.
The Drop-In Centre’s service, catering for men and women, is at this stage limited to meals. Any expansion towards accommodation care is dependent on both demand and funding.
Homelessness NSW estimates that on any given night, some 16,725 people sleep on the streets or impoverished dwelling. Most cases of homelessness occur outside of Australia’s capital cities.