A soup van is now operating weekly in Warragul and Drouin to offer warm meals to the most vulnerable people in our community.

After seven months of planning, Baw Baw Soup Kitchen opened its windows for the first-time last week as part of a 14-week pilot program.

Baw Baw Food Relief coordinator Jan Davidson said the reality was the community had displaced people living rough, families sleeping in cars, people forced to couch surf and “so many people out there that are just hanging on”.

“It’s so, so important to get it out there and give hot meals, especially through winter,” Catholic Care’s Denise Lacey added.

The soup van will open in Queen St, Warragul (opposite The Gazette office) on Tuesdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and in Civic Park, Drouin on Thursdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

The locations were selected for proximity to towns, train and bus services and public toilets.

On opening night, soup and rolls, quiche, yoghurt, fruit and water were all on offer.  Sleeping bags and beanies could also be collected.

The pilot program is a collaborative effort between Drouin, Warragul and District Apex Club, Baw Baw Food Relief, Catholic Care, Frankies Community Kitchen, Warragul Lions Club, Warragul Rotary Club, Baw Baw Shire Council, Warragul Community House and Victoria Police.

Jan expects attendance to grow as word spreads of a hot, nutritious meal available each week.

Denise emphasised the service wasn’t only for those homeless, but for families or individuals having to pick between paying rent or bills and putting food on the table.

“That one extra meal a week makes such a difference,” she said.

Jan said many locals would be unaware of the local homeless issue but was impressed with overwhelming positivity for the new venture.

“It’s the need.  Our social snapshot has really changed in Warragul.  There are displaced people living rough, vulnerable people.  They are out there.  By having this service, we are able to reach out and give people good nutrition,” she added.

Jan said Apex provided the van, Lions and Rotary the people power, and Frankies Community Kitchen and Warragul Community House prepared meals.  Baw Baw Shire assisted to purchase equipment.

“It is a pilot (program) that will be running for 14 weeks until September 23.  In that time, we can also collect data to try to have this as a fully funded program.”

Denise said charity organisations across the region were being inundated with new clients.  She saw 18 clients that day, 80 per cent new, and the previous day even higher.

“It’s something we’ve never seen, even through COVID,” Denise said.

The end of JobKeeper and rising costs of rent and utilities were common causes.

Many people have offered to volunteer in the soup kitchen and a roster will be developed.  More information is available on the Baw Baw Food Relief Facebook page for anyone wanting to assist.