Healing the community with the gift of a meal

Alliance Member news

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Urban Angels Community Kitchen and their community volunteers were lovingly preparing 1200 meals daily for Sunshine Coast people in need.

This number has dropped to an average of 500 meals per day – which is still higher than prior to the pandemic – but the team are no less dedicated to ensuring our community has access to sustenance-giving food.

Unit Manager Birgit Sowden said Urban Angels meals were prepared for people facing illness, trauma or other significant challenges that make putting a nutritious meal on the table difficult.

“As many people who have experienced a crisis in their life can attest, the simple gift of a meal in difficult times can not only relieve the stress of the moment but also uplift the spirit,” Birgit said.

Birgit said Urban Angels had more than 40 regular volunteers that band together to create meals from scratch that “heal mind, body and soul”.

“What happens in our kitchen when our team comes together to cook is a kind of alchemy that can change everything for the recipients of the food; the food we create is so much more than just sustenance,” she said.

The meals, created from a menu of 30 tasty, nutritious dishes, are delivered to community members and families in need through schools, Noosa Council, community organisations and IFYS’s own youth services.

“We believe that sharing tasty, nutritious food with people who can’t manage putting a meal on the table each day will go a long towards strengthening and reconnecting our communities,” Birgit said.

Urban Angels welcomes more volunteers to assist with chopping, stirring, packing, labelling and helping to deliver food. Contact Birgit on 0418 783 928 or bsowden@ifys.com.au to find out more.

Urban Angels is an initiative of IFYS, who are proud members of The Alliance for Suicide Prevention – Sunshine Coast