A community service initiative led by Seventh-day Adventists in Perth, Western Australia, was recently honoured with two prestigious awards by the City of Swan.
Midland Meals Inc. received the Active Citizenship Award, and its co-founder—Swan Valley Adventist church pastor Loren Pratt—was named Community Citizen of the Year, acknowledging their tireless efforts in addressing food insecurity and supporting those doing it tough across the region.
“It’s a bit numbing because I don’t do it for [an award],” Pastor Pratt said. “I do it for that one person out there who’s lonely, hungry, hurting and needing support. I’m there for that person and that’s my award.”
Founded in 2019, Midland Meals has grown into a seven-nights-a-week operation feeding hundreds in need, rain or shine—even on Christmas Day and at Easter. What started small has become a widespread effort involving over 210 volunteers, including members from Swan Valley and nearby Adventist churches, other faith groups and the wider community.
Over the past year they’ve experienced a significant increase in demand. “There’s been about a 30 per cent increase in the numbers we are feeding,” Pastor Pratt said. “The demographics have shifted too. It used to be mostly people on the street. Now it’s people living in cars, couch surfing, staying in sheds—the cost-of-living crisis is really starting to bite.”
Midland Meals runs simultaneous nightly meal services at Midland and Ellenbrook. It also operates daytime meal sessions twice a week at Bassendean. It has recently formed a partnership with St John of God Public and Private Hospitals for the next 12 months. As their nominated charity, St John of God Hospitals are providing volunteers and fundraising support.
“It allows us to extend our reach further into the community because an institution like St John of God Hospitals believes in what we do and wants to support us,“ Pastor Pratt explained. “The value this adds to our ministry is just enormous.”
Beyond the practical support of serving meals, Midland Meals offers connection—and hope. Pastor Pratt shared an experience that happened while he was cooking at the barbecue one night. “This guy comes up to me and says, ‘I just want to thank you for what you’ve done for me in the last year and-a-half. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you guys.’ Then he said, ‘I think you should change your name to Heaven’s Kitchen.’
“That’s what keeps me going—knowing we’re making a real difference.
“You never touch a person without leaving a trace,” he added. “I just want to show them Jesus—not necessarily by preaching but by loving them.”
