Volunteers brought a spark of Christmas cheer to the middle of winter this July at The Shak community meal, run by Mill Park Baptist Church (MPBC).

The Shak runs a free two-course community lunch every Saturday, when between 15 and 50 people come because they value the interaction and connection as well as enjoying a warm meal.

Coordinator Siew-Peng Condon said: “The Shak has been running for nine years now and we’ve been focusing on delivering warm meals to those in need in the community, but we wanted to reach out and engage a little bit more with those who attend. We were so blessed when a couple from the church generously stepped up to take on putting a special activity together during every school holiday period”.

Recently, The Shak turned one of their Saturday meals into a Christmas in July event  where  celebrations hit a new level of fun and engagement as participants sang carols, heard the Christmas story and played games together.

The organisers ran Bingo using pictures rather than written words in an effort to provide activities that were appropriate for all ages and abilities. “One member has been coming for quite a while with a carer, but the person did not usually want to engage in conversation. But at this event we saw them really get involved with a big smile and play the games, especially the Christmas Bingo! For me, that was the biggest highlight of the day.”

There were Christmas-themed decorations and nativity items, and the team gave a small gift to everyone. “We really wanted the focus to be on Christ’s birthday. Everyone heard the Christmas story, which was read out very simply interspersed between the songs, which worked very well.”

The Shak is a ministry of MPBC but is financially independent – its main funding comes from Bunnings barbecues and is boosted by council grants and donations. From day one, Bon Food Australia has been “a huge support” by donating pasta, sauces, olive oil, water bottles and bread sticks. Coles has also recently agreed to donate not-quite-right fruits and vegetables once a week.

Siew-Peng said that during the covid years, when they could not have a sit-down lunch, The Shak provided a drive-through meal service, and the ministry would serve around 180 meals per week. “I think this was because a lot of people had extra needs during that time, and also because it was convenient to get the meals and drive home. Now, the focus is slightly different and the people who come have different needs. We get a diverse group of people. It’s lovely to be a part of because it’s like another family.”