On Easter Saturday we had a special barbecue.

It attracted around 50 people, which included many regulars and was greatly enjoyed by all.

A highlight was the distribution of easter eggs and special cupcakes that were prepared by staff from the Intensive Care Unit at the Alfred Hospital.

Special thanks go to Fiona Williams, who coordinated the baking drive amongst her colleagues at the Alfred Hospital and all the volunteers (mainly team 2 but also a number of new volunteers) who assisted preparing food for the day.

Jim Davison

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Christmas Eve was a great day – we had close to 100 people turn up (more than we had expected!) and yet things went remarkably smoothly. We had many compliments from our guests, who were very appreciative of the generosity and good cheer of our volunteers on what was a hot day. There were gifts for all, as well as table service (which was also a first for us!).

Highlights included Peter Clough’s gospel message which received a round of applause, the delicious meal, and many appreciative comments by participants. Jimmy Vost, who we had not seen for most of the year, also made an appearance which was great to see.

Thanks in particular to staff of the City of Melbourne who volunteered their services and the kitchen staff who cooked up an excellent meal. We also thank City of Melbourne staff, Docklands residents and City on a Hill for donating many of the gifts.

View the photos from the day.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day, and all the very best for 2012.

Jim Davison
Kitchen Director

Many Rooms recently gave out beanies to the participants at the Kitchen. People from City on a Hill and their friends in the wider community combined forces to knit more than 80 beanies to give away.

The give away was immensely popular, attracting approximately 100 people – the busiest day we’ve ever had at the Kitchen.

In addition to the beanies, the ladies each received a scarf and the gents a pair of socks. 

And if that wasn’t enough, each beanie came with a packet of nuts which was kindly donated for the occasion.

On behalf of all the participants, a massive thank you to all those involved, and especially to those who organised this give away.

I have been involved with Many Rooms since its inception in November 2009. It has been a honor to be involved in such a ministry. I initially thought that this might simply be a soup kitchen for the homeless, however it has become much more.

My misconceptions about homelessness have been slowly broken down over time, as I have got to know the people who come along every Saturday.

I have learned much from participants. Several comments have been made to me about how people have found friendship and community by being part of Many Rooms. One man said to me that “he would not get out of bed before mid afternoon if it were not for Many Rooms”. This experience has forced me to re-define what I consider homelessness to be. Most people who attend may have somewhere to sleep other than the streets, but accommodation can be temporary and rough. I think that many rooms has provided a home environment where it may have been lacking elsewhere.

Over the time since its beginning, numbers have grown from about 5 in the first week to now over 60 regularly attending. This is partly due to the food that is served. The team always endeavors to show the homeless love and respect by providing a nutritious and healthy meal. People are also making friends and participating in games, such as cards and scrabble.

We usually have a theme each week and try and provide food which is appropriate in keeping with the theme. On one week we had a Christmas theme and everyone sang carols. We also had a Mexican theme and a number of people wanted to wear the sombreros we had. A Trip to bowling was also been organized on weeks when the facility was closed.

Our team meet before serving the meal and pray that Jesus will use us in a way that shows his love to those that attend. God is blessing this work and the numbers continue to grow.

Sam – volunteer

Your name?
Sam. I’m in Team 5, or as we prefer to call it, The Team That Rock5.

What keeps you busy when you’re not at the Kitchen?
I’m a single dad with 2 young kids – Mackenzie (age 10) and Kadin (age 8). They take up most of my time. Then there’s work. That was taking up too much of my time, so I cut that back. When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m in the living room (asleep on the sofa) or in the back yard (asleep in a deck chair) or I’m asleep.

What keeps you busy when you’re not at the Kitchen?
I’m a single dad with 2 young kids – Mackenzie (age 10) and Kadin (age 8).  They take up most of my time.  Then there’s work.  That was taking up too much of my time, so I cut that back.  When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m in the living room (asleep on the sofa) or in the back yard (asleep in a deck chair) or I’m asleep.

What is your role at the Kitchen?
It’s all about pitching in and creatively getting the job done in the time and space we have available.  I’m pretty much happy to do anything and I usually take the lead from our talented cooks.  We have an ongoing joke in our team about running the grill, and I’m the self-appointed grill-meister.  You know you’ve really made it when you get to run the grill.  Sorry Simon, you’ll have to earn your place back on the grill.  Ha ha.

Why did you volunteer at the Kitchen?
On a personal level, I’m blessed to be surrounded by many people who support and help me on a daily basis.  I felt volunteering was a practical way for me to repay that kindness. I really wanted to make a positive contribution to my society. Also as a Christian I see this as a practical way to apply Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:31-40 (go on, look it up).

What do you like about the Kitchen?
I like the fact that we all really click as a team. We’ve developed some great friendships along the way too.  I think a lot of that is due to Robbo’s relaxed and distinctive leadership (Robbo is team leader for Team 5).  I like the way that we set a theme every time we’re on and somehow manage to pull it off. That makes the entire day a fun experience for everyone. And I really like the way that our guests are very appreciative of our efforts.

Is there one experience that has been the most rewarding for you?
Perhaps a highlight was our ‘Christmas in July’ theme.  We had plenty of guests enjoy a roast lunch that week.

We had a great time singing Christmas carols around the piano (actually it was a key board). We even had people dressing up for a nativity scene.  It’s amazing how the nativity story really engages everyone despite our many differences.
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Fiona – volunteer

What keeps you busy when you’re not at the Kitchen?
I work full time as an Associate Charge Nurse in the intensive care unit at the Alfred Hospital. When not working which I seem to do a lot of I spend time with friends, I travel and I am a person who always has the next trip planned which has made settling down difficult.

What is your role at the Kitchen?
My role at the kitchen is in the kitchen. I am one of three cooks in my team. I kind of act has the ideas girl for the menu for our week and do the shopping.

Why did you volunteer at the Kitchen?
I felt that I had the time to do more for our community and have thought for quite awhile that i would like to do some volunteer work so when Chris mentioned his idea for the drop in centre I jumped at the opportunity. I also enjoy to cook so it is no great effort to do something I find very relaxing.

What do you like about the Kitchen?
I love being part of something that I hope gives pleasure and also ensures that those less well off have a warm nutritious meal. I think the team for week two work really well together and create a fun and happy atmosphere which only adds to the experience.

Is there one experience that has been the most rewarding for you?
The most rewarding thing so far was the time we took everyone bowling. There is a guy who is a rough sleeper (who I worry doesn’t have enough warm clothes) who came along. Seeing his face light up when he knocked down all the pins he did this little jig he was so happy.

Jimmy has been involved with Many Rooms ever since it was an idea.  He met Chris (Many Rooms management) at the Uniting Church Drop in Centre on Carlisle St, St Kilda, where he remembers discussing with him the need for a meals program in North Melbourne.

Jim is a passionate North Melbourne footy club supporter and keen creative writer.

He moved back into this area to live about 4 years ago.  He is actively involved at the local community group.

He loves the friendship and companionship that the Kitchen brings, and has only missed three weeks since it began just over twelve months ago.  He would love to see the program expand to possibly incorporate a library, pool competitions, and maybe even an arts group as he believes that the Many Rooms program offers a safe place for locals to gather and chat.

Ingrid

Ingrid was born in Germany but has lived in the Essendon / Ascot Vale area since about 1966. She currently lives in Travancore with her father and daughter.

Ingrid is an avid singer belonging to the Wingate Ave Singers which sing at nursing homes. She is also a member of the Choir of hope and Inspiration.  She attends St Georges in Travancore and volunteers at the local Op Shop.

Ingrid first heard about Many Rooms through the Ozanam house sandwich program,.  She has been attending almost since the beginning.  She really loves the weekly program for both the very yummy food and also the friendly and caring volunteers that she meets each week.  Like Jimmy, Ingrid is a keen advocate for the Kitchen program in the North Melbourne area and would love to see the possible addition of a “Many Rooms” choir.