Soup kitchen aids Mary Macs Place

Children and staff at the Early Learning Centre in Terrigal held a soup kitchen on Friday, December 9, with all proceeds donated to Mary Macs Place at Woy Woy.

The day, which consisted of a formal luncheon and a stall in the afternoon, raised $124.50.

"Our Soup Kitchen evolved as an extension of our garden project," said Early Learning Centre coordinator Ms Brownyn Maley.

"A keen interest in cooking the vegetables grown from our garden followed with the children conducting a survey of their peer's favourite vegetables.

"The children then brainstormed what we could cook using carrots.

"They decided on carrot soup and together we googled a recipe.

"Making the soup was a collaborative process of chopping, measuring, stirring, cooking and blending.

"The concept of a soup kitchen was introduced to the children, while ladling out the soup.

"We discussed with the children the important and valuable role charity volunteers play in our community.

"This seemed to strike a chord with Bella who suggested, running a soup kitchen and inviting the parents.

"Given the strong interest in our vegetable garden, cooking and with Christmas drawing nearer, we felt the soup kitchen presented a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience the gift of giving.

"Christmas is a time when family, community, compassion, love and giving are thought about with more acuity.

"We believe we have a responsibility to broaden children's awareness of the world around them and assist them in recognising their role in supporting others in the community.

"The valuable role that Mary Mac's Place plays in providing homeless people with meals is one we have felt very proud in supporting.

"The children were encouraged and supported to be involved in all aspects of the soup kitchen, from helping to sew the aprons with one of our parent volunteers, making the centre piece vases out of clay, cooking the soup, writing the menus and order pads to serving and taking orders on the day.

"We felt strongly that the children should be entrusted with authentic equipment and resources, allowing them to see that we truly honour them as capable and resourceful individuals.

"When the big day arrived there was great excitement with the children eagerly anticipating the arrival of their invited guests.

"The children demonstrated their perseverance, commitment and capabilities as they took orders, served our three types of soup and reminded people to make a generous donation in our donation box," said Ms Maley.

Email, 19 Dec 2011 Bronwyn Maley, Early Learning Centre Terrigal