Soup van gives warm feeling

IT’S more than just a bowl of soup.
For the many residents doing it tough in Casey and Cardinia, the Berwick Soup Van not only offers them a meal but it shows them that there are many compassionate people who care about their wellbeing.
Three nights a week, the Berwick Soup Van travels to 12 stops in the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire to feed people in need.
It starts at Beaconsfield then travels to Berwick, Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Cranbourne, Narre Warren South then back to Beaconsfield.
About 90 people, ranging from toddlers to the elderly, are fed every night.
About 40 people donate their time to the St Vincent de Paul Berwick Soup Van, including president Mike Ferey and co-ordinator Maree Harris.
Ms Harris, a Narre Warren South resident, began volunteering with the van about 12 months ago after reading about it in a local newspaper.
She quickly found herself loving the work and now dedicates much of her free time to it.
“For me, personally, it’s the belief that everyone needs to be treated as equal. They deserve to be treated the same,” she said.
“And they love receiving help. We meet such lovely people who are down and out but are very grateful and love a chat.”
The food is prepared by the volunteers in a kitchen donated by St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield.
Brumby’s at Eden Rise donates bread and many of the food items and ingredients are collected from food banks.
Ms Harris said volunteering with the soup van has been extremely rewarding and encouraged others to join the cause.
Anyone wanting to learn more volunteering with the Berwick Soup Van can email berwicksoupvan@gmail.com.