People with Purpose: Food for thought

How did you become involved with Transit Soup Kitchen?

Before joining Transit, I was in recovery from breast cancer treatment.

Unfortunately, the treatments resulted in severe burns, which were further compounded by the onset of fibromyalgia (a chronic disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping).

A friend's suggestion prompted me to volunteer at a soup kitchen. Even as I was battling depression and financial concerns, Transit soon became my daily motivation.

Having witnessed loved ones' struggles with depression and substance abuse throughout my life, I gained a deeper understanding and empathy for the challenges many of our guests face daily.

Their experiences reinforced my commitment to serving and supporting others in need. What fills me with joy is connecting with guests – a comforting hug, a smile, a hand on their shoulder.

Listening to their stories, like that of a mum now living in her car, deeply moves me. It's a reminder of life's blessings and the importance of love and support over material things.

I also love when I can jump into action, such as gathering party food supplies and a frozen birthday cake for a guest's child's upcoming birthday. It's all about making tough times a bit brighter.

Why is it important to run a service such as Transit Soup Kitchen in your community?

Running a service like this in our community is not just important; it’s absolutely essential.

Every day, we see firsthand the struggles of families – particularly single mums, those who are homeless, pensioners, and people just starting their lives off in Australia – who are trying to do their best in the face of overwhelming financial challenges. For many of them, putting food on the table is a constant worry, and without services like ours, many would go without a proper meal.

It's more than just the food, though. Our sit-down meals provide an opportunity for people to come together, to sit at a table, share a meal, and feel part of something.

It’s a break from the loneliness and isolation that often comes with hardship. There’s something special about being able to share a meal around a table, where people aren’t just receiving food, but also connection, dignity, and support.

Are you and your team seeing the human side of the cost-of-living crisis?

Absolutely. Every single day. It’s heartbreaking and humbling at the same time. We’re not just handing out food; we’re hearing people’s stories, seeing their struggles up close, and feeling the weight they carry.

The families we serve are people who, in many cases, were getting by before, but now, with rising costs, find themselves in a position they never thought they’d be in – needing help to feed their children or themselves.

It’s the single mum who skips meals so her kids can eat. It’s the elderly person trying to stretch a small pension over soaring grocery prices. It’s working families who are doing everything right but still can’t make ends meet.

These are people who must make impossible choices between paying bills, keeping the lights on, or putting food on the table.

The meals and groceries we provide are often a lifeline, but they’re also a reminder that behind every statistic about the cost-of-living crisis is a real person with real worries.

We see the relief on their faces when they sit down to a warm meal or walk away with groceries, knowing that for today at least, they don’t have to worry about feeding their family.

We also see the exhaustion, the stress, and sometimes even the embarrassment people feel because they never imagined they’d be in this situation.

How grateful are the recipients of Transit Soup Kitchen's services?

The guests of Transit Soup Kitchen's services are deeply grateful, and their appreciation is witnessed in every interaction. For many of them, the support we provide is more than just a meal or some bags of groceries – it’s a lifeline during incredibly tough times.

Each time someone walks away with a hot meal or a fresh bag of produce, you can see the relief and gratitude in their eyes.

How did you feel when you were told you had been named a Westfield Local Hero?

It brought tears to my eyes – not because of the recognition for myself, but because of what this grant will mean for Transit.

My heart was so full of excitement and joy for our entire team and the incredible people we serve. This place means the world to me, and knowing that this recognition would bring more support, resources and hope to our community was overwhelming.

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Local heroes, big impact