Homeless have reason for cheer on Christmas Day

Cook Jenny McCormack, Pastor Keith Vethaak and John McGreal at the Transit soup kitchen. 148096 Picture: GARY SISSONS

By LACHLAN MOORHEAD

CASEY’S homeless will finally have somewhere to go for Christmas lunch this holiday season.
For the first time in its six-year existence, the Narre Warren Transit soup kitchen is opening its doors on Christmas Day, and will serve lunch for those who need it most in the community.
Casey Rotarian John McGreal, who is helping organise the Christmas lunch with Transit Pastor Keith Vethaak and other volunteers, said there was a huge demand on Christmas Day, that up to now was not able to be met.
Reliant on volunteers, John, Keith and the rest of the community at the Webb Street soup kitchen have urged the community to donate money, items or a helping hand in any way they can.
“There are a lot of people out there who have nowhere to go for Christmas,” John said.
With more than 100 people expected to turn out for a meal at the soup kitchen on 25 December, John praised the work of the Transit volunteers who volunteer “day in, day out” to feed the homeless.
“At the end of this day, these people are doing it day in, day out and I just came to them with this idea to open on Christmas Day to complement what they already do,” John said.
The Transit Soup Kitchen will be open on Christmas Day from about noon to 2pm, and to volunteer or donate money, contact Transit on 9796 8966, or John McGreal on 0403 118 854.