Weekly dinners uniting the community

AFTER a successful first nine weeks, the Harvey Community Dinners group is inviting more of the community into the kitchen.

Volunteers hosting the Community Dinners are looking for more to join them Monday nights at the Kinsella Parish Hall, not just for the meal but also on the cooking or cleaning roster.

Volunteer Ester Italiano said each night had seen more than 100 people attend with 160 people on their biggest night.

“It’s been very successful which is why we’re asking for help too,” she said.

Father Bernard Lanarolle said while the Catholic Church’s hall hosted the dinners it was not connected to the church and the wider community was encouraged to attend.

“We don’t want it to be a church thing, we want it to be for everyone in the community,” he said.

“People who eat alone can come and have a meal with someone else and come to meet other people.”

“Busy mums if they want a night off without cooking they can come and have a meal here, or if someone is struggling to get by they can come too.”

Mrs Italiano said the dinners were a good way to join the Harvey community for those not involved in sport or school.

“If you don’t seem to play sport or have children at school, it’s very hard to meet people,” she said.

“So this is the perfect way for them to come into the community.”

No booking is required to attend the dinners, each Monday at 6pm, but to join the roster contact the Parish on 9729 1699.