By Ethan Benedicto
Local tradies and businesses have joined forces in a valiant effort to transform and renovate the Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support in Narre Warren.
In an incredible feat of community spirit, the charity, which is run by more than 100 volunteers, will see improvements to its amenities, foundational structures, tiling, tables, and more.
The charity’s community relations officer, Michelle Pinxt, said that the “cost of living pressures have seen a surge during the last 12 months in the number of people asking for help”.
“Transit’s rundown building is making it hard for our volunteers to serve more than 1500 individuals and families coming to us for food and support each week.”
With Transit unable to pay for a renovation, Pinxt asked the local community for aid, and the response was nothing short of astounding.
Pinxt recalled that it began with a group of tradesmen who said to her that they were more than happy to take up the task of renovating the soup kitchen, where “they said we will get the people, you get the stuff”.
“They said that we will have everyone donating their time, all of these professional tradesmen, they will donate the time, making Transit amazing, and if we could source the materials, then we’ll go from there.
“It just grew, it absolutely grew, so then I contacted a couple of organisations that started… and it just caught and continued from there.”
From electricians, plumbers, painters, tilers and plasterers, other key contributors to the makeover of the Transit Soup Kitchen included 3fold Resources Pty Ltd, who contributed $18,000 worth of custom-made cabinetry, Berwick Glass for replacing and repairing windows and IKEA Springvale for privacy screens.
South East Water also contributed with stainless steel kitchen benches, sinks and tapware; Omnitech Playgrounds for temporary housing of shelving and goods, as well as tipper trucks for rubbish removal; Inspirations Paint Narre Warren for wall and ceiling paint and much more.
“I think people understand that the cost of living is hitting everyone very hard at the moment, I think that they’re realising that there are a lot of people experiencing a housing crisis, ending up on the streets, and they can see a tangible way that they can make a difference,” Pinxt said.
“We’re all blown away by the support, Transit has a lot of love to give, but it was incredibly run down; to be able to create a space that the volunteers and our guests can walk into that is inviting and warm and feels like we’re actually investing in them, everyone is just blown away by that.”
A total of $25,000 of commercial flooring was also contributed by a Sydney-based company that wished to remain anonymous, with the team currently in the kitchen undergoing work.
While the soup kitchen is closed for renovations, its grand re-opening is set for Saturday, November 23, from 2pm to 4pm; in the meantime, the Rotary Club of Cranbourne, and other community groups have taken their time to provide those in need with food hampers and other goods.
“It’s incredible seeing it all unfold, that we can create a haven for people, not just provide food,” Pinxt said.
“Our volunteers are excited to be able to step back into this and be able to gift even more people with food, community, and friendship.”
