Soup on the go

By Kelly Yates
A SOUP van is now travelling the streets of Casey and Cardinia bringing food and friendship to people in need.
The St Vincent de Paul Society soup van, staffed by volunteers, has been running in Casey for the past two months.
The van makes stops in Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Pakenham, some of the local areas most in need.
Volunteer Lauren Harvey said six volunteers headed out every Wednesday and Sunday night to deliver free soup, sandwiches, tea and coffee at the Narre Warren Railway Station, Hampton Park Shopping Centre and a men’s hostel in Pakenham.
Ms Harvey said the organisation spoke to other charities and support services to find out the areas most in need in the municipality.
“We don’t see many people sleeping on the streets, but we see many who are sleeping in their cars,” she said.
“Some of them only have enough money to pay for their rent and need help providing food for their family,” Ms Harvey said.
The 25-year-old from Berwick said the number of people needing assistance was growing.
“There’s not a typical type of person needing help,” she said.
“The majority are people aged in their 20s to 30s and we often get families coming down for food,” she said.
The volunteers also hand out brochures promoting other local support and employment services.
“We hope to make a difference,” she said.
Ms Harvey said the Casey community needed to be aware that the issue was out there.
“Many people are shocked when they hear that the issue of homelessness is right on their doorsteps,” she said.
The St Vincent de Paul Society soup van drops into the Narre Warren Railway Station at 6.30pm, Hampton Park Shopping Centre about 7.20pm and then visits the men’s hostel in Pakenham.
Anyone wanting to assist can call 0431 591 669 or caseyyoungvinnies@gmail.com