By Jed Lanyon
Warburton’s Koha Community Cafe continues to deliver to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Committee president and volunteer Suyin Chan said the cafe had been forced to adapt to a takeaway model and continues to change their service in line with state government restrictions.
“We provide a meal once a week for anyone who needs it, wants it or would like to have it and we just ask for a donation if it can be afforded,” she said.
Koha Community Cafe has been running for over ten years now and Ms Chan said there was still a strong demand for locals needing meals.
“We’ve noticed new people coming through, they might come for a few weeks and not come back again. And then we have our regulars who rely on their meals from us each week.
“There’s been a few people who have stayed away in fear of the virus, and for them we do home deliveries and deliver five to six meals a week. For those who are vulnerable health wide or worried about coming out and getting the virus, we can accomodate by delivering meals to them.”
Koha supplies anywhere between 50-70 meals each Thursday night for people in the Warburton area regardless of whether they are able to make a donation. Ms Chan said people are able to take excess produce home, ranging from fruit, vegetables to bread, orange juice and sometimes chocolate and other pantry items.
Ms Chan said a highlight of running the meal services was seeing the social interaction between locals, now lost due to coronavirus restrictions.
“Of course that’s changed drastically, but I think it’s very important for us to be here and be consistent for people to collect a meal in line with all the restrictions.
“I think that human connection and community connection is really important, so we still try to catch up and ask how they’re going.
Ms Chan said that Koha, in cooperation with Yarra Ranges Council, are soon hoping to operate a 24 hour community pantry where locals in need will be able to visit and either give or take necessary pantry items including books.
Koha welcomes locals to come along to 25A Dammans Rd, Warburton on Thursdays between 5.30pm and 7.30pm and then again on Friday mornings between 10am and 12pm for leftover meals.
