Taree Community Kitchen – Student Volunteers

For nearly a decade, students from St Clare's have regularly volunteered at the Taree Catholic Care Community Kitchen, embodying the school's Catholic Mission and living out its vision:  "Together with Christ we serve our community."  Through their dedicated service, they fulfill the Josephite Charism by providing hospitality and support to those in need.  This longstanding tradition of volunteerism reflects the compassionate spirit encouraged at St Clare's.  As they prepare and serve meals, creating a welcoming environment for all, their commitment to helping others not only strengthens their faith but also fosters a sense of unity and purpose within the community.  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many teachers and students who have contributed their time and effort, and a special thanks to Denise Ryan for her unwavering commitment to organising these invaluable service opportunities. 

Tanille Gardner
Leaders of Learning – Religious Education

Reflection on the past years of commitment

As far as the teachers who accompany the students - there is always a line-up to volunteer.  If I was to name each one from over the years, I would of course forget someone, so I’ll just say about 40 staff give or take a few.  Many staff have gone many times and when they ‘retire’ from the Kitchen there are always others who are very keen to take their place.  They always comment on the students’ and how wonderful they are:  so enthusiastic, happily moving into new experiences and treating each other and those they ‘work for’ with such respect.  Incidentally, the only injury we’ve had has been suffered by a teacher whose injury was as deep as a paper cut, but he didn’t think so!!   

There have been some funny/extraordinary ‘gems’ from the students:  “My mother doesn’t let me near the kitchen”…  “I don’t know how to wash up, wipe-up or sweep the floor…” 

It has been such a wonderful experience over the years.  I’m sure the Kitchen has given more to St Clare’s than we have to the Kitchen.  It’s a credit to everyone that it’s always such a great day of joy with an incredible sense of having contributed to the community. 

It’s been a huge financial commitment from St Clare’s that has supported the Kitchen and the Principals’ involved have never shied away from making our involvement possible.  It’s fitting to thank them for that. 

Who to thank?  Carol Healey has always made it possible for us to participate.  It is wonderful to watch her welcome us and then gently lead us to an experience that answers our own needs as well as others.  Carol has always been a gift to the St Clare’s community in her many roles.  We have been greatly blessed to have someone so faith-filled and passionate about justice and the goodness of people to lead us. 

To all those we continue to serve:

“May almighty God bless you
May God look upon you with the eyes of mercy and grant you peace
Here on earth may God pour forth graces on you abundantly
And in heaven, may God place you among the saints”

Denise Ryan
Religious Studies Teacher

Feedback from the Students

From the students:

“… we served a total of 135 nutritious meals to the less fortunate in Taree.  A highlight of the day was being able to help many friendly faces in our community and seeing them light up when we were able to assist.  The experience was one I will remember forever.  We were so lucky to be involved in ‘the Kitchen’…” 

“…I struggled with the whole aspect of seeing people who are homeless put their kids first, for example a man came in to get meals for his three kids. He said not to worry about him, but to worry about his kids instead. We ended up getting him enough food for him and his children…” 

“….it was nice to chat to them as everyone had different stories about their life, it made my day helping them and seeing them smile. I felt honoured to be there to represent my school and if another chance presents itself for me to go again, I would do it in a heartbeat….”

St Clare’s students practice their faith in a practical manner – serving others 

Pope Francis once said, “young people, put your talents at the service of the Gospel, with creativity and boundless charity.”  This is an important message to the youth of today as they grow up in a society where commercialism and self-centeredness is considered to be in the way of life.  The students and teachers of St Clare’s High School Taree have met this challenge by becoming part of the volunteer run CatholicCare Community Kitchen.  Once a month the Year 10 students and a teacher together with a CatholicCare volunteer prepare and serve a nutritious meal to the needy in the Taree community.  The people that come to the kitchen have varied backgrounds but have one thing in common they need to feel that someone cares.  For the students this experience gives them an opportunity to move outside their comfort zone and help those who are in need.  The experience is a reality check for the students as not everyone in the community is as lucky as they are, a roof over their heads and enough food and clothes to live a comfortable life.  The diners at the kitchen enjoy having the students serving them.  One client said, “It is so good to have the students at the kitchen as their cheery smiles and happy dispositions make me forget my problems.” 

The students also treat the diners in a non-judgemental manner and go the extra mile to bring joy to the diners.  At Christmas time they made cards for all the diners and dressed up in Santa hats all contributing to showing these people that they important. 

For the students they learn practical hospitality skills and a sense of self-worth having been involved in such a worthwhile program.  The students and teachers are to be commended on their initiative and taking the opportunity to be the face of Jesus in the local community.

Mrs Carol Healey
Community Kitchen Volunteer