Sr Marjorie’s Soup Kitchen was delighted to receive the gift of a new custom-made banner from the Student Representative Council (SRC) at St Agnes’ Primary School.

Founder of the Soup Kitchen, Sr Marjorie McLachlan OAM, can be found each Tuesday morning (along with her wonderful band of volunteers) providing breakfast and chatting with those who come to the Soup Kitchen at the back of St Agnes’ Parish’s Youth and Community Hub.

Sr Marjorie, who turned 90 last November, set up the town’s first soup kitchen at the Catholic Men’s Club on Horton Street in 1990. While the location has changed over the years, the Soup Kitchen has continued to serve the community for well over 30 years.

Donna Sprague, Assistant Principal – Mission from St Agnes’ Primary School, who recently presented the banner to Sr Marjorie on behalf of the school, said it was purchased with funds raised by the school’s SRC Year 6 students.

“Each year the Student Representative Council works consistently on projects promoting change in their school and community. This year one of these projects was to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul and Sr Marjorie’s Soup Kitchen and their work with the homeless at the St Agnes’ Youth and Community Hub in Horton Street,” said Ms Sprague.

“When we asked Vinnies what they needed they mentioned that signage for the Soup Kitchen had been a goal of theirs for a while, so purchasing the banner was an ideal way to help both organisations.”

“The fundraising initiatives, which included wearing footy jumpers for State of Origin, selling hot chocolates and the ‘Wear your warmest clothes day’ coincided with the school’s Winter Warmers Appeal. This enabled the students to donate 26 sleeping bags for the homeless and to assist the members of St Vincent de Paul with their goal of creating a banner for Sr Marjorie’s Soup Kitchen,” she added.

“Creating a banner that represented the great work undertaken by Sr Marjorie and her team of volunteers was important to the SRC. The final design came about through the work of Reg Clarke (SRC), Mrs Lyndsy Foster and Aunty Michelle from our office,” concluded Ms Sprague.

Sr Marjorie and her team of volunteers, which includes members of St Vincent de Paul, St Agnes’ parishioners and other members of the local community, will display the banner on the front fence of the St Agnes’ Youth and Community Hub on Horton Street on Tuesday mornings when the Soup Kitchen operates from 8.30am until 11am.

Anne O’Brien, Deputy CEO of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, acknowledged the efforts of all those who, through their involvement with Sr Marjorie’s Soup Kitchen, engage with their community through this wonderful act of service.

“As a Parish, we are proud to work with Sister Marjorie and her team in this very worthy work of Mission – the service of all, particularly those in need. They do wonderful work in our community, and we are honoured to support their collaborative efforts through our Youth and Community Hub,” said Ms O’Brien.

She also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of Michael Gilmour, who manages the Youth and Community Hub, for his dedication to creating a welcoming space for all.