Soup for the soul

By Casey Neill
A MOUNT Evelyn woman and her children would go hungry without help from a local soup kitchen.
Mount Evelyn Christian Reformed Church launched the free Thursday night feed in January to help struggling locals.
But organisers are finding demand for the service is not as great as predicted and are urging more people in need to come along.
Julianne Parkman attends every week with her children who are aged one, two and 11.
Her next door neighbours go to the church on a regular basis.
“They know that I struggle not only financially, but to cook dinner every night,” she said.
“I’ve asked them a few times if they could help me and they let me know about the soup kitchen on Thursdays, so I take me and my tribe down there.”
The 31-year-old single mother has regularly struggled to put a meal on the table.
“Usually once a fortnight or something I’d ask my next door neighbours for help,” she said.
“I’ve had a lot of trouble with Centrelink. Sometimes they’ll pay me for all the kids and sometimes they won’t.
“Financially it’s been a big struggle.”
Ms Parkman said having a free meal available was “a huge relief”.
“Especially towards the end of the week,” she said.
“I get a little bit flustered and it’s just nice to go and relax and not have to worry about cleaning up and kids screaming.
“It’s just a nice relaxing place to go, especially to socialise with other people as well.”
Ms Parkman said the meal was also a great networking opportunity.
“The whole nine years I’ve lived here I’ve only known my next door neighbours,” she said.
“I didn’t know anyone else in the area until I started going to the soup kitchen.”
She said her children could also socialise with other kids.
“They have a little craft table and my kids go and draw and colour in,” she said.
It’s also within walking distance of her home.
“And if it’s raining my neighbours ask if I need a lift,” she said.
“There’s one in Lilydale but I’ve never been to that, it’s too far away.”
Organiser Jane Stekelenburg said the church expected 50-plus visitors each week but were averaging between one and four.
“Local support agencies had advised us that the need for good services was great in the outer east and we witness this for ourselves at churches in Lilydale and Mooroolbark,” she said.
“Our attendance has however been very slow.”
Ms Stekelenburg put the low attendance down to Mount Evelyn’s location away from a railway line, a limited menu and other agencies serving the same night.
“We are not aiming to attract crowds from outlying areas,” she said.
“Our aim continues to be to be available for and to serve our local, especially Mount Evelyn, community.”
She said attendees were mainly single mothers with children or single gentlemen.
“We are committed to this program for the whole year, however we will soon review what and how we are doing to see whether changes need to be made,” she said.
Mount Evelyn Christian Reformed Church is located at 45-47 Birmingham Road, Mount Evelyn.
It can be contacted on 9736 1087.
They serve up soup, bread and dessert from 6pm each Thursday.