Meals for those in need

FOR the last seven weeks, more than 100 homeless and needy people every week have walked out of Rob’s Fresh Fish & Takeaway Coffee Lounge in Wonthaggi with a delicious, hearty, free meal.

It started on June 7, a very early regular customer from Melbourne, Ram Bolla gave Chris and Di $200 and asked them to ‘share the love’ by providing meals to local homeless individuals and those in need.

“Ram had noticed a lot of homeless walking the streets, early in the morning,” Chris explained. 

“He handed me a couple of hundred dollars and asked us to cook some meals for them.

“We decided to match it dollar for dollar.

“We put it on Facebook and had overwhelming feedback – that’s how it started.”

A no questions asked policy, owners Chris and Di match local customer and businesses donations whether $50 or $200.

Meals vary each week but have included satay chicken and rice, butter chicken and rice, curried sausages and rice, chicken and veggie soup and mango chicken and rice.

And what makes the new initiative so special is that it’s regular people and businesses from across the community who are pitching in and contributing.

“The most unassuming people are giving,” Chris said.

“St. Vinnie’s have also started sending those in need down.”

Alan and his wife are two of the many incredible contributors.

“Beautiful food, Chris and Di are absolutely wonderful people,” Alan said.

“Who else takes these people in and feeds them out of their own pocket…”

With the pandemic and rising costs pushing many businesses and individuals to the limit, Chris and Di are grateful to those who have contributed, especially as many are struggling themselves.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the local support. It’s something simple that grew into a positive experience. What a wonderful community we live in!

“We look forward to keeping it going as long as we can.”

Individuals in need of a feed are welcome to pop into Rob’s, 113-115 Graham Street, Wonthaggi on a Wednesday.