The 5000 Club has been operating in Daylesford for almost seven years and in that time, it has provided a place of comfort for those that need it.
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The organisation, headed by Loretta Little, runs out of Daylesford’s Stanbridge Hall every Friday and is auspiced and supported by Reverend Neil Fitzgerald and the Anglican Church in Daylesford.
The 5000 Club serves the whole community by providing hot, healthy and most importantly, free, three-course meals to an average of 50 people every lunch.
Ms Little estimates the 5000 Club has served over 12,000 home cooked meals in its time.
“As well as the meals, which are served in a cafe-atmosphere which is warm and welcoming, there is also clothing, knitted food, fruit and vegetables, books and magazines for people to select,” Ms Little said.
She said people that attend vary in age from three to 97 years old and include the disadvantaged, elderly, lonely and intellectually disabled citizens of Hepburn Shire.
Recently, the 5000 Club had its funding cut by Hepburn Shire Council due to its being an ongoing project, not an establishing one. After discussions, the club has secured permanent council funding of $2000 per year.
Ms Little said the money will get them through the year, but she will be seeking other funding.
“Because our meals are free, we are dependent on outside funding, supplemented by individual donations.
“I spend about $140 a week to purchase food and on average we get donations of maybe $70. Some weeks we get much less, sometimes more. So we run on about $70 a week to feed 50 people.”
Ms Little said the group could not run without the generosity of the community.
“We run a good, tight ship and get so much help from the community. Many local businesses give us free food or a very good discount.
“Among our supporters are Spa Meats, Albert St Butcher, Bakers Delight, Coles through Second Bite and the florist, which provides us with beautiful flowers at the end of the week,” she said.
Each week, a horde of volunteers flock to help to serve the lunch.
“They’re just loving it. They love the buzz and knowing that they’re helping other people. A lot of people in this community have good hearts,” Ms Little said.