The Order of Malta Community Care Kitchen in Bondi is staffed by volunteers and offers a warm meal and welcome to anyone in need.
Open: Wednesdays 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Location: St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 2 Wellington St, Bondi NSW 2026 (just off Bondi Road)
CURRENTLY OUR ROSTER IS FULL AND WE ARE NOT TAKING ON NEW VOLUNTEERS AT THIS TIME.
OUR STORY – Providing hands on work
In 2021, Order of Malta members in Sydney decided to redouble its focus on “hands on work”, with Members and Volunteers working directly on projects to serve Jesus in the poor, sick and otherwise needy.
Conventual Chaplain Ad Honorem, Fr Anthony Robbie came up with idea of a Community Kitchen, modelled on a project run by the British Association of the Order in London following a parishoners encounter at the parish involving a homeless man sheltering from the rain. The parishioner gave the man his own take away dinner and after hearing of this incident, Fr Robbie decided more could be done to assist the underprivileged in the area.
Following discussions with Steve Christie, Regional Hospitaller for the Order of Malta, they investigated how they could provide a service that complemented other food services for the needy in Sydney. They quickly realised there were a lack of food services providing evening meals and shelter to eat them.
In the first week of December 2021 the Order of Malta Community Care Kitchen launched at St Patrick’s, offering anyone in need a warm nutritious homecooked meal, cooked and served by our friendly volunteers.
The opening night saw our members and volunteers serve just one takeaway meal.
Undeterred, over the following months, awareness of the Kitchen’s charms spread by word of mouth, social media and the distribution of flyers by volunteers. The number of guests slowly but steadily climbed and the Kitchen now serves between 20 and 30 guests every Wednesday evening.
WHAT OUR SERVICE OFFERS
Our volunteer cooks plan, prepare and cook the meals and frequently reproduce their family favourites for our guests. Rather than offer a canteen format, our volunteers provide a table service to our guests. They use these interactions as an opportunity to chat with guests and make them feel welcome.
During the winter months, the Community Kitchen in Bondi will also serve as a distribution point for the Order of Malta Coats for the Homeless.
OUR GUESTS
A strong sense of community has been established between the guests and volunteers. On any night there is usually one or two newcomers to the Kitchen, however we have a large group of regulars who come for a warm meal and company when needed. Our guests come from variety of backgrounds but usually live in the area. Some are homeless, others come from hostels, public housing or other lower cost accommodation options. Others are lonely or suffering from the affordability crisis. Regardless of their circumstances, all are welcome.
The Australian Association
The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.