Soup van in Traralgon

Anne Simmons

The aroma of hot and hearty vegetable soup will drift through the streets of Traralgon from August 14 once a soup van arrives in town on August 14 to address a growing need for welfare assistance in the community.

St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s soup van program has existed in Moe for 21 years and now is expanding to appear weekly on Tuesday nights around Traralgon.

Over the past year there has been a more than 10 per cent rise in demand for food parcels and assistance through the Traralgon Vinnies assistance centre, Vinnies Victoria spokesperson Haley Chartres says.

“The soup van is an extension of that service whereby we actually do direct outreach to people sleeping rough or people needing an evening meal,” Ms Chartres said.

“In the state of Victoria there’s been a 40 per cent rise in demand for welfare assistance over the past three years. Here in the greater Gippsland region we’re looking at a 20 per cent rise.”

She said the fact people may be choosing between an evening meal and paying a power bill was “devastating” for regional communities.

“A problem seen and ignored is a problem maintained,” Ms Chartres said.

About 25 people have already signed up to volunteer for the program led by Traralgon Soup Van president Sue MacManus.

Ms MacManus said she could see the need “right here in our own backyard”.

“I’ve noticed around when I go walking that there are people sleeping rough out there,” Ms MacManus said.

Ms MacManus has previously helped at Berwick and Moe soup vans and understands volunteering is about more than dishing out soup into a cup.

“There’s a lot of lonely people out there and sometimes you may be the only person they speak to for the day,” she said.

The Traralgon program is seeking more volunteers, that go by the name ‘Vannies’, financial and in-kind donations from local retailers.

It will be on Tuesday nights from 6pm at four locations – Shakespeare, Campbell and Gwalia streets and Newman Park.

To get involved in the project, visit vinnies.org.au.