Salvos dish up friendships

The Salvation Army Karratha Corps has begun serving a weekly community lunch on Friday.

Captain Gerald Mitchell said they held a community lunch because it was a way for people to connect to the community.

“There’s a need out in the community I think for people to come to a place where they can connect,” he said.

“For some it’s going to be a reasonable meal and at this point at no charge.

“Karratha is getting to be a big town now, but even though it’s a big town there’s a lot of isolation for individuals because they probably don’t connect as well as they might do in other places.”

The lunches began at the start of April and will continue throughout the year.

Capt. Mitchell said about 15 people usually attended the gathering. “We wanted to start off quiet …because at this stage it’s just my wife and I doing all the preparation but we’re hoping to get some volunteers come through,” he said.

“As it grows we are potentially going to be catering for up to 50 or 60 people.”

The organisation will be kept busy this month with their biggest fundraiser, the Red Shield Appeal on May 25-26.

Capt. Mitchell said they were desperately seeking volunteers for the doorknock.

“The biggest challenge we face … is getting enough collectors to knock on the doors, we find that the public are generous enough as long as we can get in touch with them,” he said.

To volunteer your time, visit the Salvation Army on the corner of Bond and Balmoral roads.