CMP is a dual-purpose program that does the following:
1) A free cooking program specifically aimed at local people experiencing disadvantage e.g. disability, mental health, challenging family situations or other forms of adversity. Participants work with a volunteer mentor to cook a variety of recipes during a two-hour session, once a week over one school term.
2) The meals prepared are packaged into take away containers and frozen for distribution through local schools and charities to those in need. We provide meals for people struggling financially, people impacted by illness, those who are homeless and others in challenging situations who are brought to our attention.
What do participants get out of this program?
- Cooking skills preparing healthy savoury meals and sweet treats
- Experience in a commercial kitchen
- Safe food handing knowledge and certificate
- Communication and social skills
- Personal confidence
- Teamwork experience and development
- Development of organisational and problem-solving skills
- Social connection
- Sense of giving back to the community and helping others in need
- Individual goal setting with the coordinator
- Support to attain goals
- Skills to add to resume
- Increased employability
- Certificate of achievement
- A work reference upon completion
The Community Meals Program was started in 2020 and runs once or twice a week depending on enrolments. This program commenced with support from Baptist Care SA and City of Tea Tree Gully. Soul Food Christian Community supports the ongoing costs of this program through fundraising events and the generous giving of its members.
CMP runs from Golden Grove Uniting Church and receives donations of cooking ingredients from Second Bite Australia through Pathway Community Centre. Soul Food Christian Community is extremely grateful to these partners for supporting us to continue to run our Community Meals Program.
Go to How Can I Help to learn more about how you can be involved.