MacKillop House: Continuing to Serve with the Salvation Army Meals Van

This week, MacKillop House was fortunate to welcome Captain Dianne Hobbs from the Salvation Army, who spoke passionately about the Meals Van program and the many opportunities for our students to get involved. The Meals Van provides food and support to people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship in our community, and it relies heavily on volunteers to keep running.

As part of the visit, our own students, Evie Zurawel, Angus O’Keefe, Ella Hobbs, and Xavier Cunningham, shared their personal experiences of volunteering on the Meals Van. They spoke with honesty and heart about why they serve and what they have learned along the way.

While each student initially began volunteering with the intention of helping others, they discovered something unexpected, the gift of relationships. They described how conversations over serving hot soup or coffee have helped break down barriers and challenged the stigma that often surrounds homelessness. They’ve come to see that those who use the Meals Van are people just like us, people with stories, hopes, struggles, and dignity. In their words, the experience has been “eye-opening” and deeply rewarding.

This message resonates strongly with our College motto, “To Love and To Serve.” In choosing to step forward and serve, our students are embodying Ignatian values of being men and women for others, placing compassion and justice at the centre of their lives.

I am incredibly proud of the selflessness shown by our students, especially our Year 12s who, in the middle of their busiest school year, still give up their Friday nights to serve those in need. Their willingness to put others before themselves is a true example of leadership and compassion in action. In many ways, they are walking in the footsteps of Saint Mary MacKillop, who dedicated her life to serving the poor and vulnerable with courage and humility. Just as she reminded us to “never see a need without doing something about it,” our students are living out that call through their service on the Meals Van.

We warmly invite any student or parent in our College community who feels inspired by this work to get involved. If you would like to volunteer with the Salvation Army Meals Van, please contact Captain Dianne Hobbs at dianne.hobbs@salvationarmy.org.au to express your interest. Together, we can continue to love and to serve, building a community where dignity and compassion are extended to all.