Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newcastle (NSW) has opened a renovated and expanded kitchen to extend its community meal and food pantry ministry, God’s Kitchen, in one of the Hunter region’s most socio-economically diverse suburbs.
Located near Newcastle’s busy Beaumont Street dining precinct and within reach of a major public housing area, the church serves a community where homelessness and higher-than-average crime exist alongside some of the city’s most expensive real estate.
The upgraded kitchen supports the church’s weekly Thursday food pantry and community meal, which along with the food pantry, currently serves around 80 people and aims to return to pre-COVID attendance of more than 100.
“The purpose of the meal is not only to provide food but to build relationships,” Hamilton church pastor Justin Torossian said. “When people sit and eat together, they begin to share their needs and we can connect them with practical support.”
The facility was officially opened on February 8, with about 90 people in attendance—more than half were community partners, volunteers, tradies and representatives of supporting organisations.
The six-month renovation was made possible through a combination of council funding, church support and community donations.
The City of Newcastle provided a grant of $A18,500, with additional funding from Adventist Community Services, ADRA, the North New South Wales Conference (NNSW), Warners Bay church and the Hillview op shop. Fundraising from Hamilton church members between September and December raised more than $A28,000.
City of Newcastle councillor Jenny Barrie, who cut the ribbon alongside NNSW president Pastor Cristian Copaceanu, said the project would strengthen local support networks, adding that she hopes to assist the initiative on some Thursdays.
“It’s a wonderful service providing a kitchen and a pantry opportunity for people to come and get food and then sit down and have a meal. This will increase the work of the church across the community in a loving, supportive environment,” said Ms Barrie.
ADRA regional manager for NSW Colleen Savage said it was a privilege for the organisation to contribute financially to a project that will strengthen community engagement. “One of our greatest joys is connecting churches with their communities and hearing stories of people coming to know God through those relationships,” she said. “We hope and pray that through this ministry, they will reach many—being a shining light in the community, showing love and truly being the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Future stages of the site development are under consideration, including facilities that would allow the church to offer showers and laundry services for people in need and to function as an emergency support centre.
“We have people who are homeless, people who own their own homes and people who simply need friendship,” Pastor Torossian said. “We want this to be a space where the community can experience God’s love through practical help and genuine care.”
