Monty’s Place will be celebrating its 7th birthday on 21 October 2020. Monty’s is still going strong with a takeaway service every Wednesday from 12.00-1.30pm at the Uniting Church Hall in Narooma, beside the water tank.
There have been many challenges during 7 years, but the year 2020 has tested the Narooma community like no other. Bushfires and COVID-19 restrictions have disrupted all our lives and the consequences have fallen heavily on the disadvantaged and isolated in our community. The Monty’s committee and volunteers have worked hard to continue to support their guests throughout this time.
Monty’s Place Volunteer Coordinator, Di White said, “the success of Monty’s Place is a tribute to our amazing volunteers who show up every week to provide friendship and a nutritious meal to our guests” From June 2019 to March 2020, Monty’s Place served 3,181 sit-down meals. This figure includes the 565 meals that Monty’s prepared and served for the Narooma Evacuation Centre during the bushfires. Monty’s also provided 828 takeaway meals for guests who needed a bit more support. When the COVID virus restricted all our lives in March 2020, Monty’s volunteers were determined their service would continue and quickly moved to a takeaway-only service. During this time, a further 1,403 takeaway meals were provided. Guests pick-up a takeaway bag containing a hot meal, bread, cake and fruit each week, There is also an assortment of free food and other household items available to our guests. Monty’s thanks guests for following the strict COVID rules of hygiene and physical distancing. This takeaway service will continue until NSW Health requirements allow a return to table service. Providing this total of 5,412 meals over the last year, would not have been possible without the loyalty and generosity of many wonderful donors. Woolworths, Narooma, ABC Bakery, Tilba Milk and several other local businesses have been providing support to Monty’s Place throughout the last seven years. Local Service Groups have been incredibly generous, including Rotary, Narooma Tennis Club, Quota, Drop in Centre, Lions Club, Men’s Shed, Narooma RFS and many others. There are also many individuals who provide ongoing financial and in-kind to support to Monty’s Place.
The support from SHASA and MESA with the installation of solar panels, and support from ‘Another Room’ and Katrina Scobie with an extension to the Church Hall was invaluable in allowing Monty’s Place to work more efficiently and safely.
Monty’s Place takeaway will continue to be there every Wednesday from 12.00-1.30pm at the Narooma Uniting Church Hall, Di White said “We are looking forward to another year supporting the Narooma Community and getting back to our normal sit-down service as soon as we are allowed”.
