HUNGRY people in Coffs Harbour filled their tummies on October’s Labour Day public holiday, a day traditionally uncatered to the hungry.

Feeding those who do not have access to food kitchens on public holidays is a new venture for Coffs Harbour Lions Club whose members are keen to stave off starvation for the vulnerable around the city.

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The Club is a big supporter of Pete’s Place and the Neighbourhood Centre.

“After our visit to Pete’s place in July, where we served fresh salad rolls, we decided we wanted to do more to help,” Coffs Harbour Lions Club Secretary Rosemary Hansen told News Of The Area.

“We decided we would like to help the hungry on public holidays when none of the services are open to feed the hungry.”

They shared the idea with management at Pete’s Place and the Neighbourhood Centre, and both support organisations agreed it was a great idea.

“We decided to do a sausage sizzle in Coffs’ Rotary Park on Monday 2 October and see how we went,” said Rosemary.

“We served sausages and onions and made some fresh muffins, cakes and brownies.”

To promote their free BBQ, Lions Club folk put flyers around both the centres.

“On the morning, one of our members went around to the back of Pete’s Place to let them all know we were serving up in the park.

“We served approximately 40 people who seemed grateful we were around.

“One gentleman came back for his fourth sausage and said, ‘please can I have another one, I am so hungry’.

“The homemade cakes and muffins were a real hit with all of them being eaten.”

For Coffs Harbour Lions Club BBQ team it was a very rewarding experience with only the effort needed to cook a BBQ.

“We will certainly do this again on a public holiday and we hope the next one will be on Boxing Day,” said Rosemary.

The leftover sausages were cooked up by the Lions members and two full trays of sausage casserole were delivered hot to Pete’s Place on Tuesday lunch time.

The Lions thank the businesses which donated bread and sausages for the day.

“If you think you would like to help our community, you are welcome to join our Lions club.”

Please call Rosemary for more information on 0433 994 383.

By Andrea FERRARI