Helping homeless in city

Hot meals, clothes and services for those in need at local community kitchen

WHAT started out as a one-off idea to help the homeless has sprouted into a full-blown service, with Tony’s Community Kitchen now offering meals and services 365 days a year.

The community kitchen is run by Toowoomba man Tony Hurle with the help of many incredible volunteers.

It began from an idea to supply hot meals to the homeless at Easter to very quickly supplying meals two to three nights a week, and now the kitchen offers its services seven days a week.

Mr Hurle said they were able to give each person a home-cooked hot meal in the evening between 5pm and 7pm.

“It might be meals like spaghetti bolognese or other pasta, meatballs and vegetables, curry, roast chicken, or a sausage barbecue,” he said.

“Hot drinks such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate and milo, fruit, bakery pastries, other donated bakery items such as pies and sausage rolls are also available.”

There also have secondhand clothing and bedding such as beanies, trackies, blankets and sleeping bags, and clients can also request items such as toiletries and pantry items if they need them.

Tony’s Community Kitchen, when it started serving nightly, had average numbers of about 20 people per night.

It has now grown to 48 per night on average, and on the weekend, they serve more than 60 meals per night.

Both women and men, of all ages, are using the services.

Mr Hurle said the community had been incredibly supportive.

“When the plan to cook hot meals was posted on Facebook we were flooded with offers of support, offers to cook, offers to donate everything from rent and canned food, to clothing, care packs and services,” he said.

“This has continued with wonderful generous men and women, families, schools, businesses.

“It’s humbling and so gratifying to see so many people want to help others, not just during COVID-19, but for every day and in the future.”

“Particularly amazing and wonderful is support from several schools that cook meals, desserts, slices and muffins for our fundraising.”

A Donation Day is held each Sunday from noon until 2pm where people can come and talk with Mr Hurle and volunteers and find out how they can help.

If you are in need of a meal or assistance or would like to donate, head to the corner of James and Ruthven Sts behind the Settlers Inn, or search Tony’s Kitchen on Facebook.