General News
18 September, 2025
Community food van hits the road
AN ambitious plan to serve hot meals to local people in need made its debut on Wednesday night.
Members of the Ararat Community Food Van committee braved a cold night to take hot meals to people at the Ararat Skate Park.
The committee was formed by people who believe there is a genuine need to help homeless people and residents who are going through tough times.
The committee plan to be at the Ararat Skate Park from 6.30pm to 8pm each Wednesday night and will further expand their services in coming months to a location in Ararat North and Green Hill Lake.
The Community Food Van was donated to the committee by the publisher of this newspaper, West Vic News Pty Ltd.
Another donation of $5,000 has been made by the Ararat Lions Club.
Committee Chairman Bob Sanders said the first night on the road exceeded all expectations.
“We served meals to 15 people. It was a resounding success and it shows there is a genuine need for something like this in our community.
“We had enough food, I recon we had one serve left,” he said.
“We are now looking at other spots like the Gason carpark in Ararat North and then obviously we do want to get out to Green Hill Lake,” he said.
Ararat Rural City Council has given the committee permission to prepare food in the commercial kitchen at the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, which will then be transferred to the van and taken out to the community.
Mr Sanders said the feedback from people visiting the van was very positive.
“One bloke said ‘that’s just so great, I’ve got a full stomach now, a good solid meal’”
A team of volunteers is being co-ordinated to help run the new service and Mr Sanders is keen for new people to become involved.
“New people have come forward but others will be welcomed with open arms. If they call the council switchboard and leave their number one of the committee will be in touch,” he said.
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