Lou’s Place Kitchen Volunteers

Nurturing our women through delicious meals remains a key element in helping the women of Lou’s Place. Thanks to an incredible group of regular volunteers, our home-cooked meal service never stopped throughout the lockdowns; it has merely changed shape. Lunches have been cooked at home and placed in take away containers for the staff to hand out to anyone who comes to the door.

Oz Harvest continues to deliver produce, and TwoGood has been delivering meals as well.  The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah has also been delivering meals as part of their Saint Elesa Food Initiative. Most of the women coming to the door are our most vulnerable, unwell and often homeless. Lou’s staff have handed them groceries and multiple meals to encourage them to stay home (when they can) and other donations.

A few kitchen volunteers have shared their experiences:

With only my husband and me at home, and no opportunity to cook for large groups of friends and family, doing a big cook-up at home for Lou’s has been a most satisfying activity. When I’ve dropped off my meals, I have been greeted by some of the lovely women who come to Lou’s, and their gratitude has been heartfelt. I love the connections that I have made at Lou’s and can’t wait to get back in the kitchen …  when we’re all allowed to be together again. – Ali

I miss my shifts at Lou’s. I love cooking while chatting to my kitchen buddy Jo. I miss the interactions we have with the women who come in, finding out what they’re up to, what they like to eat. Cooking at home for Lou’s has been fun too. Last week was super exciting with a police car on my tail on the way home. I was hoping they would pull me over so I could tell them about Lou’s Place! – Josephine

My big cook-up and drop off yesterday made for an extra busy morning but once delivered, the feeling of being able to contribute far outweighed all the effort. As much as I was on a high after dropping off the boxes, it's not quite the same as cooking on site. Food is such a binder… everyone appreciates a meal cooked from the heart. I am grateful for being able to contribute and I look forward to returning to Lou's kitchen real soon. - Jo

We are very grateful to Oz Harvest, Two Good and the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah for their continuing support. And a big thank you to all the kitchen volunteers – Ali, Josephine, Jo, Jan, Katie, Cristina, Sarah, Antonia and Judy. We look forward to having you cooking in the new kitchen again soon!