Lismore’s Winsome Soup Kitchen offers vital food security

Offering food security during the uncertainty of the pandemic and lockdown is a significant element of the Winsome’s success in looking after our some of most vulnerable community members.

OUR PEOPLE: The Winsome Soup Kitchen manager Mieke Bell (far left) with patron Robert Cameron and volunteers Margot McKeon, Steve Smith and Mick Melino. Ms Bell said, "caring for our people through the Winsome is possible because of our wonderful volunteers." Photo: Alison Paterson

Imagine if you had no money to buy your family food, no safe place to sleep and no hope for the future?

For too many people on the Northern Rivers, this is no bad dream, it’s an ongoing nightmare.

So Lismore’s Winsome Soup Kitchen is a lifeline for those experiencing hard times, as being able to access a complimentary, no-questions-asked meal every day can mean the difference between eating a hot lunch or going hungry.

At the Winsome Soup Kitchen’s building at 11 Bridge St, long-term volunteer and manager Mieke Bell said the lockdown has been hard on the community’s most vulnerable.

“Some days we have been serving 75 meals a day to our people,” she said.

“We don’t do means testing here, we never ask ‘do you need to be here’, because if they are here then they do need us.”

Ms Bell said for more than 30 years, the “wonderful volunteers” who come from all walks of life, cultures, and careers come to serve the marginalised and homeless people of the Lismore area by giving of their time, resources, and commitment.

On Tuesday August 17, Ms Bell was meeting with some of the volunteers, including Mick Melino, a retired teacher, who is on day three of his new role as a day manager.

“The day managers talk with our people on the floor,” Ms Bell said.

“Some of our people coming here every day have been regulars for years and we’re also seeing new people who are being impacted by the well-documented lack of affordable housing.”

Mr Melino said he was inspired to put his hand up and volunteer after helping out a similar program which was run through his previous employer, St John’s College Woodlawn.

“Before this, I spent 12 months as a volunteer with the kitchen team,” Mr Melino said.

“I was asked if I wanted to have a go at a day manager role, I still have my L-plates on.”

Mr Melino said he felt privileged to be able to give back to his community.

Ms Bell said she was struck by how calm their lunchtime visitors were during the first lockdown in 2020.

“Out on the pavement as we distributed our take-out meals, I was wondering why there was not a higher level of anxiety,” she said.

“Then I realised that being able to offer people food security in the times when food shops and services were closing was very important.

“Together with our people they have formed the Winsome’s vibrant and caring community.”

Ms Bell said anyone interested in assisting with the work the Winsome either with donations of volunteering is welcome to contact her on 0407 789 528.