Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support

05/06/2026

1,700 people every week.

That's how many people Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support with free sit down meals and free groceries across SE Melbourne. These are the most vulnerable in our community - the homeless, those fleeing abuse, pensioners, refugees and those who are mentally ill - the list goes on.

We've reached the point where we have simply run out of room to store and sort the food needed to support them. Like many charities, we cannot afford the ongoing overheads of leasing a commercial factory or warehouse. Thanks to the generosity of a community partner, this large shed has been made available to Transit on a peppercorn lease (and is less than 5min away!)

Now, our community is coming together to transform it into a dedicated food storage and sorting facility that will help us continue meeting growing demand for years to come! We are building something that may not be flashy, but built well.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to these businesses have already 'chipped in' supplies! Because of their generosity, this project is moving from plans and drawings to reality. Works beginning in less than 4 weeks time!

• City Circle Group - 120 tonnes crushed rock
• AKZ Reinforcing- reinforced steel for concrete slabs
• Omnitech Playgrounds - building supplies
• Bowens - timber supplies
• IKEA Springvale - kitchenette, vanity, mirror and tapware
• National Tiles - all tiles, grout and glue required
• UNI Underground Network Improvements - utility connections
• Bruinsma Builders - internal doors, frames and door fittings
• HFH Auto Group - donation of a 2 pallet freezer van (plus servicing and rego) to transport frozen and fresh goods from both locations.
• Lexus Of Berwick - building material funds
• G&M Roofing - roof battens
• Middle J Australia - removal of structures and building supplies
• Specialised Cladding and Roofing - galv. sheeting and roof installation
• Tiemens Plumbing - plumbing supplies
• Precision Property and Garden Care - building supplies
• Bunnings Warehouse Australia Narre Warren - $200 materials voucher and trade connections
• Rotary Donations in Kind West Footscray - concrete base coat, volunteer tables and chairs
• Rotary Club of Casey - to be announced.
• Rotary Club Of Cranbourne Inc - to be announced.

But we still need the community's help!

With works commencing in less than four weeks, we are seeking...

• Two safety compliant 20ft arctic *re**er* refrigerated shipping containers (one freezer and one fridge - with flooring and lighting)
• Pallet racking - Thirteen (13) bays at 2438mm high x 838mm deep x 2743mm wide with One (1) beam level (with MDF shelving).
• A walk-behind pallet stacker
• Electrical supplies
• LED lighting and lighting supplies
• Paint supplies

If your business can help, or knows someone who can, please reach out, share this post, or tag a business.

As a registered charity with DGR status, all donations are tax deductible and receipts can be provided before the end of the financial year.

Please note: All Transit guests are household means tested in order to receive food support, so please know that food is going only to those in genuine need.

Please visit our page for the updated list of materials we are still seeking. If you would like to come and visit us on site to see first hand what we do, please feel free to contact Michelle on 0425 852 056 or email [email protected] (Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager).

https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

04/06/2026

And just like that... the walls have a skeleton!

A massive thank you to Bowens for jumping on board and donating all of the timber required for our Together We Build expansion project - helping feed over 1700 people in need each week!

When you're renovating a shed into a food storage facility, timber isn't exactly the glamorous part of the project - but without it, nothing else happens! Thanks to Bowens Hallam, our volunteer tradies now have everything they need to start securing the walls and bringing this space to life.

Stay tuned... the transformation is only just beginning!

www.transitsoupkitchen.org.au

03/06/2026

A HUGE thank you to City Circle Group for their donation and free delivery of 120 TONNES of crushed rock for Transit's 'Together We Build' project. We are blown away by your generosity!

Support like this makes an enormous difference and helps turn big ideas into reality. With work set to begin in just four weeks, we're excited to see this project continuing to gain momentum.

We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity and community spirit shown by City Circle Group. Thank you for helping us create something that will benefit our guests and community for years to come.

The 'Together We Build' project is growing legs!

If you'd like to find out more, check out materials list by visiting https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

02/06/2026

‘Together We Build’ food storage expansion project is GROWING LEGS!

A huge thank you to the incredible businesses and organisations who have already jumped on board:

- AKZ REINFORCING has generously donated all reinforcing steel required for the concrete slabs.

- IKEA SPRINGVALE are supplying the kitchenette, kitchen sink, bathroom vanity, basin, mirror and tapware.

- NATIONAL TILES has committed to supplying all floor and wall tiles, along with the required adhesive and grout.

- BRUINSMA BUILDERS is donating the internal doors, trims and fittings.

- BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE Narre Warren has supported us with a gift card and valuable connections to other trade suppliers.

- CASEY OUTREACH OP SHOP has made a generous $5,000 donation towards the project!

What started as a vision to expand our food storage capacity is quickly becoming a reality thanks to the generosity of these incredible people and businesses.

Thank you for helping us build something that will serve our community for years to come!

Keen to join in and help? See the materials list by visiting https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

31/05/2026

30/05/2026

Wayne Blok and his team from Middle J Australia are absolute legends!

The Together We Build project is underway, with clean-up works already happening at our new food storage facility.

We’re currently looking for support with paint and painting supplies. If you’d like to jump on board, or know a business who may be able to help, tag them below!

See our website for the full materials list and project details:

https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

30/05/2026

Breakfast Church is on at Transit tomorrow!

Join us from 9.30am–10.30am for a relaxed morning of delicious food, great company and encouragement.

Everyone is welcome! Come as you are, bring a friend and start your Sunday with us. We’d love to see you there!

29/05/2026

TRANSIT IS EXPANDING!

This is huge.

For years, our team has worked around every corner, cupboard and spare metre of space available. But with more than 1,700 people now relying on Transit each week, we have simply outgrown our current space.

That’s why we’re so excited to share that the “Together We Build” food storage expansion project is officially underway - and the clean-up has already begun!

A huge thank you to Wayne Blok and the team from Middle J Australia, who cleared a few days in their calendar this week and rolled up their sleeves to help clear out the shed. What a difference! Having a blank canvas ready for the tradie team is exactly what we needed.

We’re also incredibly grateful to the businesses, organisations and community groups that have already jumped on board with materials, donations and trade support:

* Omnitech Playgrounds
* Christian Reformed Church of Casey
* akzreinforcing
* nationaltilesau Commercial Supplies
* Specialised Cladding and Roofing
* Rotary Donations in Kind West Footscray
* Tiemens Plumbing
* Middle J Australia
* Precision Property and Garden Care
* UNI Underground Network Improvements
* Bunnings Warehouse Australia Narre Warren ($200 gift voucher)

We also want to acknowledge the incredible support always shown by:

* HFH Auto Group
* Rotary Club of Casey
* Rotary Club Of Cranbourne Inc
* Rotary Club of Narre Warren

Thank you all for backing this project from the very first conversation.

As materials arrive and support continues to grow, we will keep you updated on how an empty shed begins its transformation into a space that will help us store, sort and distribute more food than ever before to those who need it most.

Every donation, every connection and every helping hand brings us one step closer.

If you’d like to get involved through materials, financial support or trade skills, visit our website below. You’ll also find the full materials list we’re currently seeking.
Call Michelle on 0425852056 if you’re keen to ‘Chip In!’

https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

28/05/2026

It was a great day of connection, support, advocacy and robust discussion today at Transit.

We were grateful to welcome Dave McNamara - CEO of Foodbank Victoria, Justin Scotti - Chief Financial Officer at Foodbank Victoria, as well as Ann-Marie Hermans MP - Liberal State Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan and Shadow Minister for Community Safety.

While Brad Battin MP was unable to attend today, we are looking forward to welcoming him to Transit very soon, and we greatly appreciated members of his team taking the time to come and spend time with us today.

Thank you all for your support, your willingness to listen and your genuine care for the people in our community. It is always encouraging to have people come along with a shared heart to make a difference.

27/05/2026

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y to Transit's incredible manager, Michelle.

Today we want to celebrate and thank you for the passion, vision and dedication you bring to Transit every single day.

Thank you for the endless hours you work behind the scenes to help this place thrive, for always thinking ahead, solving problems, creating opportunities and making Transit a place that continues to grow and serve our community well.

But more than what you do, thank you for who you are. For the beautiful smile that welcomes people in. For the genuine love and care you show to every guest and volunteer. For listening, encouraging, advocating and creating a culture where people feel valued, supported and belong.

Transit is an amazing place to be because of the example you set and the culture you cultivate. Your steady leadership and heart for people shape this community in ways that are seen every day.

We hope you feel celebrated and appreciated today.

Happy Birthday Michelle!

26/05/2026

TOGETHER WE BUILD ❤️

The response to our shed project announcement has already been incredible! Thank you. We’ve had people asking: How can we help?

This is where the community comes in.

We’ve got an amazing team donating their time and labour to make this happen. Now we’re starting to gather the materials needed to bring the space to life.

Our first focus is roofing and cladding, including:
• Zincalume corrugated sheets
• Polycarbonate corrugated sheets
• Guttering

If you’re able to support, here’s how:
- Donate materials
- Make a financial contribution
- Tag a business that might like to partner with us
- Share this post with someone who loves backing practical community projects

Every contribution, big or small, helps create a space that increases our ability to store, prepare and distribute food, and continue walking alongside people in our community.

To view the materials list and find out more:
https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 063 619
Account: 10661514

This space will be built by many hands and we can’t wait to see what happens together.

24/05/2026

Exciting news!! Transit is expanding!

For those who have stepped into Transit over the years, you’ll know one thing… we have simply run out of space.

As the need in our community continues to grow, so has Transit. More families. More food. More volunteers. More opportunities to support people beyond just a meal.

We’re incredibly grateful that we’ve been offered access to an off-site shed space at no cost through Casey Reformed Church. Now comes the next step - transforming it into a safe, functional, food-grade space that will help us increase our capacity and strengthen support across our community.

This isn’t about building something flashy. It’s about building something well. A space that can stand the test of time and help us make room for growing need in our community.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more about the project, ways to get involved, and how our community can help bring it to life.

Together we build ❤️

Materials list and more information can be found:

https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/together-we-build-project

Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 063 619
Account: 10661514

18/05/2026

Are you looking for some community and connection? Why not join Cavell Kitchen for a FREE community meal on TUESDAYS 🙂You will be welcomed with a smile and a delicious main meal and dessert. What are you waiting for??

📍6-7pm @ 15 Cavell St, Scoresby

18/05/2026

It’s National Volunteers Week and we’re celebrating the over 240 incredible people who keep Transit going week after week.

A huge thank you to the narrewarrenbowlsclub for generously providing your space, free of charge, so our volunteers can come together for a fun afternoon of barefoot bowls, laughs and connection.

And a very special thank you to therisepizzeria for generously donating a $100 gift voucher for our volunteers raffle. Supporting local community organisations in this way says a lot about the kind of business you are. We’re so grateful for your kindness and support of the people behind Transit.

We truly have the best volunteers - all heart, all hard work and always showing up for our community. Transit simply would not be what it is without you.

Happy National Volunteers Week!!

15/05/2026

We all thought we’d never be in this position, but we need to ask for help.

Like for so many families, our fuel costs have exploded. We travel far and wide every week collecting food for those doing it tough, and our fuel bill has gone from around $600 a month to nearly $1300 this month alone (so far!).

We’ll keep doing everything we can to help our community, but right now the rising costs are hitting hard. If anyone is able to contribute even a small amount toward fuel, it would make a huge difference and help us keep getting food where it’s needed most.

If you can’t donate, sharing this post would also mean the world to us.
Thank you for always supporting what we do ❤️

Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 063 619
Account: 10661514

Tax deductible receipt available

https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/donate

15/05/2026

A massive shout out to our Friday cleaning crew who absolutely smashed it today!

Te, Alison, Nadine, Alia, Jim, Abe and Trish tackled everything from dolly washing, toilet cleaning, floor mopping and polishing, fridge and cupboard cleaning and all the little jobs that keep Transit running smoothly behind the scenes. They even restocked all the tea, coffee, sugar and salt & pepper containers as well!

Not all heroes wear capes… some carry mops and cleaning spray. Thank you so much to these incredible people!

And if anyone else wants to join this awesome bunch of volunteers in our cleaning crew - we are there every Friday from 10am-12pm and would love the extra hands!

15/05/2026

Happy birthday to our ray of sunshine, Kristen!

Thank you for the warmth, kindness and joy you bring to Transit each week. Your smile lifts the room and your care for others never goes unnoticed.

We love you and hope your day was as beautiful as you are. 💛

09/05/2026

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Today we honour the mums and grandmothers in our community.

Motherhood is not always easy or visible. It’s made up of daily sacrifices, quiet strength, and the kind of love that keeps showing up, even when it’s hard.

We see the effort it takes to keep going, to care for others, to hold things together, often without much recognition.

To every mum and grandmother, thank you. You matter, and what you do matters.

We’re thinking of you today.

08/05/2026

Recently, a guest approached our team and shared some of the trauma she had been carrying and the impact it was having on her wellbeing.

Through Beyond the Meal, she was connected with trauma counselling and legal support, while further conversations also revealed the family was navigating significant pressures around housing and employment.

Over the following days, different (on site) supports were able to work together to explore practical pathways around counselling, employment, education and connections to housing support.

This is what Beyond the Meal is about.

Not simply food relief alone, but creating a place where people feel safe enough to ask for help and where support becomes more connected, practical and human...without the red tape.

https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/beyond-the-meal-program

06/05/2026

Soon to be re-named Transit (Pumpkin) Soup Kitchen! 🤣

Two ute loads of fresh market pumpkins rolled into Transit this week thanks to the legends at Akoonah Park Men's Shed.

The kitchen team got straight to work turning them into homemade pumpkin soup for our guests, with plenty also heading out to families through grocery support.

Thank you so much for such a delicious and healthy donation!

05/05/2026

Do you have a couple of hours free this Friday from 10am - 12pm?

We’re opening up a 'cleaning crew' as a new way to volunteer with Transit - practical, hands-on and part of what keeps everything running each week!

Fridays | 10:00am - 12:00pm
📍 Transit Soup Kitchen, 5/3 Webb St, Narre Warren

This isn’t a one-off. We’re building a small, consistent team who can help keep our space in great shape week in, week out. This Friday is a great place to start! If you're keen to join, head to our volunteering page https://www.transitoutreach.org.au/volunteering or text Michael on 0422 519 309

30/04/2026

Happy belated birthday to our beautiful Deb!

You give your time, your energy and your heart. The way you lead your team, always steady, always positive and always with a smile (even in the craziness!)… it matters more than you know.

We’re so grateful for you, Deb. Hope you had a really special day ❤️