For nearly 25 years, a dedicated team of volunteers have served up a hot meal and a warm welcome to Ballarat locals in crisis.
People experiencing homelessness and social insolation find shelter, a safe place to be themselves and the support they need to work towards a brighter future at our BreezeWay meals program.
This serivce has undergone some big changes in recent years.
BreezeWay’s loyal team of volunteers continued to serve takeaway meals during COVID-19 lockdowns, while also catering for the increasing demand for the service during these uncertain times.
“Our volunteers have risen to every challenge, rapidly embracing the need to change service delivery and they have demonstrated resilience in continuing to support the most vulnerable in our community,” says BreezeWay co-ordinator, Jen Wright.
“They continue to redouble their efforts and go above and beyond to meet the increasing need in the community, providing up to 125 meals each day.”
Uniting recently opened a larger BreezeWay service in Albert Street.
This new building has a commercial kitchen and space for up to 80 people to sit down for a meal.
That’s more than triple the capacity of the former dining room in Dana Street.
The new building is fully accessible and an emergency relief centre now ajoins BreezeWay, with a food pantry and facilities including showers, washing machines and clothes dryers.
All of this would not be possible without the invaluable support of our volunteers.
The BreezeWay team has provided close to 53,000 meals in the past year.
“For many people attending BreezeWay, it is their only daily connection with the greater community and the only way they can access a hot meal,” says Jen.
“During the COVID-19 challenges and beyond, our BreezeWay volunteers have been a welcoming and supportive part of many lives.
“BreezeWay’s impact on the local community would not be possible without the dedication, compassion and respect each and every member of our volunteer team brings through the door each day.”
