By Effie Caloutas
Every Friday afternoon for nearly 10 years – rain, hail or shine – Gav Smith has dished out hot soup, pizzas and other refreshments in Upwey’s Main Street.
He’s now trying to raise $10,000 for a new van to help the homeless.
The Upwey Community Bank Branch committed $5000 to the project, but Soupee’s needs support from the Yarra Ranges community to make it happen.
Mr Smith set up a Go Fund Me page to accept donations.
“I need space to hand items to the homeless,” Mr Smith said.
“I want people to support the cause, because helping out the community is vitally needed.
“Homelessness is going up every year.”
Mr Smith also visits marginalised members of the St Kilda street society, providing donated blankets and other comforts while walking the streets and giving a friendly ear.
“I love helping out the homeless. I love being somebody to talk to and to eat with,” he said.
“I like to make a difference to those less fortunate.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/e6n5fg-soupee-needs-a-van to help.
