THERE’S nothing quite like treating yourself to a hot breakfast to start the day, and the ones they serve at Chelsea Care Works are up there with the best.
Chelsea Care Works, the outreach arm of the Chelsea Community Church of Christ, runs a free community breakfast every Wednesday that has drawn diners from all over Melbourne since it started eight years ago.
Pastor Judi Turnham said the restaurant-style breakfast is more than just a “free feed”; it’s a friendly community service where people from all walks of life are invited to enjoy a meal and a smile.
“It is about community, belonging, friendships, reducing isolation and loneliness, because many in our society can go days without seeing another person or are trying to survive living in their cars or on the street,” she said.
“We’re very friendly down here and it really is wonderful to see people enjoying the food and the company.”
Pastor Judi, as she is known in the community, said the church had also opened two new services for homeless people or anyone struggling to live on pensions or low paid work.
She thanked Uniting Church Australia Share Grants for a generous grant to help with the continuation of our meals and pantry service and a business group called Pay It Forward for its support.
The ‘your pantry’ service provides free food and toiletries every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7.45-9.45am, while a portable shower comes to the church every Wednesday between 6.30-8.30am.
Chelsea Community Church of Christ is at 3-5 Blantyre Avenue. Call 9773 0301 for further information.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 19 October 2016
