By Trish Bowman
Providing over 3000 hot meals a year along with bread, fruit, noodles, and other pantry type items to ensure people who are doing it tough get a hot meal and a bag of food to take home, if they have a home, is all in the name of lending a hand for the St Brendan’s College Eddie Van.
Staff, students, friends, and family of St Brendan’s have been volunteering for the Eddies Van Project for over 13 years, aiding those who need it most.
The project not only helps the less fortunate with food, it also helps students build both confidence and social responsibility awareness.
The Eddies Van Project was established by a group of senior students in 2008 and the Assistant Principal Missions at the time, David Finch after being inspired by similar projects run by other EREA colleges in Brisbane.
Over the years, many people have been instrumental in the success of the Eddie’s Van, ensuring the social justice legacy continues.
Staff and student volunteers work tirelessly every Thursday, for 49 weeks a year to ensure that the project continues to make a difference in the Capricorn Coast community.
St Brendan’s College is proud to acknowledge the contribution of Sherene Wright, Finance Officer, who has volunteered her time for the Eddies Van Project.
Ms Wright has worked at the College for 33 years and has been critical in ensuring the success of the project.
As Ms. Wright is about to retire, the college is in need of more like-minded people to commit to this important project and continue her legacy.
Ms Wright said it has been an honour to provide this service to the Yeppoon community.
“It has been wonderful to work with the students and ensure our less fortunate have a hot meal at least once a week,” she said.
The Eddie’s Van is located at the Vinnie’s Car Park in Yeppoon each Thursday from 5-5.30 pm.
St Brendan’s College spokesperson for the Eddie Van project Shane Peers said as we transition into winter and we factor in the financial pressures of rising accommodation costs and general living expenses, the College acknowledges, now more so than ever, just how important the Eddie’s Van service is within our local community.
“Aligning with the College Touchstones, the Eddies Van Project is committed to helping those in need and is proud to continue its service to the community,” he said.
“Volunteering for the Eddies Van Project is highly rewarding as it brings a certain element of human contact often lacking in the lives of our clients.
“The project supplies more than just a hot meal, we provide dignity and companionship and above all else, reliability.
“The lockdowns didn’t dampen our spirits and rain, hail or shine, our clients know, if it’s a Thursday afternoon, we’ll be there.”
The College owns, maintains, and supplies the Van and wears the brunt of the costs associated with running it.
The Eddies Van Project regularly receives support from the ‘Second Bite Program’ running out of Coles, as well as one off donations from local businesses.
Staff and student volunteers are instrumental in the van’s ongoing success and St Brendan’s College is proud to be a part of a community that is dedicated to helping those in need and remains committed to supporting the Eddies Van Project.