TEA GARDENS Hotel patrons have donated a total of $6000 to Hawks Nest Meals on Wheels and Ports Stephens movement Talk2meBro.
The funds are accumulated over several months at badge draws, and handed out on a quarterly basis.
Hawks Nest Meals on Wheels received $3000, which will go towards the preparation and delivery of the 2000-plus meals per month that feed locals in need.
The organisation’s president, Derek Pont, was on hand to answer questions from the pub crowd on Wednesday 14 May.
Many were unaware of the extent of the work that volunteers undertake.
“The food that Meals on Wheels makes are all recipes and ingredients vetted by nutritionists,” he said.
“Good, solid, homestyle food, easy to heat-up and not prepackaged.
“Our meals are home delivered, made by local volunteers in a local kitchen by local people from our area, who also deliver frozen meals every week, and hot meals on Mondays.
“We often have a quick chat, get to know our clients, too.
“This donation will go towards upgrading the exhaust fan system above the oven, as it sticks out a bit more than the original 1991 installation – right now, steam rushes along the ceiling every time the door is open.”
Another $3000 was handed to a representative of Talk2meBro, a mental health support and suicide prevention movement that has recently opened up a branch in Port Stephens.
Through early intervention, Talk2meBro aims to create societal change – reducing the stigma in attitudes towards suicide, and empowering people to take control of their mental health.
“The Tea Gardens Hotel has not had the chance to give to either group before, and we are keen to learn of future beneficiaries of the members’ badge draws,” publican Ben Hanson told NOTA.
“Kudos to the locals, they are supporting it and making it happen.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
