Our Lady's Kitchen

What is Our Lady's Kitchen?

In 2021 Fr Greg saw there was a need to help Vinnies by giving a meal to those less fortunate. Our Lady's Kitchen (OLK) was established in October 2021. A Committee was formed and the decision was made to make Our Lady Queen of Peace Hall the meeting place for all Volunteers for OLK. In partnership with Gladesville & Hunters Hill Vinnies, the St Merkorious Charity, One Meal and Bakers Delight Top Ryde, Ryde-Gladesville Catholic Parish Our Lady’s Kitchen Volunteers take freshly cooked meals, bread and on occassions sweet treats to those in need.

We are currently delivering meals to around 90 people in our local community, with plans to extend this further.

One of the Our Lady's Kitchen murals at St Charles Borromeo Primary School, Ryde, painted by Fr Alfredo Serrano-Vasquez

"Even though ours is a fairly affluent area, there are still many people who have 'fallen through the cracks' and to whom Jesus and our Lady are directing us."

- Fr Greg Morgan FMVD, Parish Priest

Parish Priest Fr Greg assisting with food preparations at our site at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Gladesville

How can I help?

There are a number of ways to help out with the OLK initiative, and help those most in need.

Whether it's volunteering your time to pick up the food, pack or delivery or donating goods, contributing financially, there's a number of ways to play a part in helping others. We are always looking for continued support and new volunteers.

If you are able to assist, please contact Judy at ea@rgcp.org.au.

Volunteering

We are always looking for volunteers to help

With collection of Meals on Tuesday at lunchtime from St Merkorious at Strathfield and One Meal by 12:30pm on Wednesday.

Each client received 2 meals and a loaf of bread (depending on availability) twice per week. Volunteers pack the meals at 2:30pm on a Tuesday and Thursday

Delivery of the Meal is via 3 Runs - Run 1 (Higginbotham Rd) 4pm to 5:30pm - Run 2 (Hunters Hill) 4:30pm to 6pm - Run 3 (Gladesville) 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Once you sign up, we will send out a more detailed Job Description.

Rosters

Rosters are required to successfully operate Our Lady's Kitchen. The roster is created bi monthly by the parish office. A sign up form is sent out for you to complete, from this the Roster is created.

We also have a WhatsApp number for any last minute messages i.e. changes to Rosters, volunteer callouts.

Please contact Judy for more information on how you can sign up ea@rgcp.org.au

Physical donations or business assistance

If you or your business are able to donate basic foodstuffs, snacks, drinks, petrol vouchers or any other services, please contact Judy at olk@rgcp.org.au.

Financial donations

If you'd like to make a donation to support the continued work of Our Lady's Kitchen, you can donate to the Parish Fundraising Account below:

BSB: 062 784

Account No: 100 009 813

You can also donate directly on the Parish website homepage via the 'Donate Now' BPay portal, noting in the description that your donation is for Our Lady's Kitchen. Please identify if your donation is for St Merkorious or Vinnies Van.

Your generosity will go a long way in supporting vulnerable and homeless members on the fringes of our community, and ensuring we can expand our services to assist those most in need.

Donations made to St Merkorious or Vinnies Van are tax deductible.

When making a donation, please note if your donation is for St Merkorious or Vinnies Van.

Alternatively, please email admin@rgcp.org.au

Thank you

Referrals

Do you know someone who could benefit from this service? Anyone can receive this service, regardless of creed, race or orientation. All that is needed to qualify for this service is to be in circumstances of current substantial need and have no one else to help them.

If you know someone we could help, please contact Anna at Anna.Alessi@vinnies.org.au

Our Partners

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