Salvation Army limits numbers in Bourke St Night Cafe due to social distancing rules
The Salvation Army’s CBD Night Cafe routinely hosts more than 150 vulnerable Victorians overnight. But social distancing rules have led to changes.
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The Salvation Army’s busy CBD night cafe has had to limit numbers due to social distancing rules.
The Bourke St cafe usually houses about 150 homeless people a night, but only 50 are allowed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Salvos Project 614 boss Major Brendan Nottle said the welfare operation was still running due to an exemption from health authorities organised by Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood.
“Due to other options being taken up, we’re not getting a lot more than 50 turning up, and we’re providing toasted sandwiches and coffee through the servery window overnight,” he said.
Maj Nottle said that local cafes, businesses and even State Parliament were providing the cafe with much needed food and drink for society’s vulnerable.
Crown Casino is a long-term supporter of the Salvos, and recently has supplied face masks, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, 56 cases of bottled water, over 8300kg of food, and employee volunteers at the cafe
“Crown provides funding to and works with charitable organisations like the Salvation Army to support the local community and those in need,” a spokeswoman said.
Victorian Legislative Council president Shaun Leane said Parliament’s kitchens would be used to help prepare meals for vulnerable community members.
“We will be working with organisations such as The Salvation Army, The Lazarus Centre, St Peter’s Eastern Hill Anglican Church, the Father Bob Maguire Foundation and Melbourne City Mission to help them get nutritious meals to people in need,” he said.