23/10/2026
❤️ A MESSAGE FROM FEEDING FRIENDS FAR WEST INCORPORATED ❤️
Getting back to basics, staying true to our purpose, and making sure help reaches those who truly need it.
Good afternoon, Broken Hill.
Today, we want to be open and honest with our community about some changes happening at Feeding Friends Far West Incorporated, and why we have made these decisions.
Over the past few weeks, we temporarily stood down some of our sponsors while we worked through the food already stored in our freezers and took the opportunity to get back to basics. Don and Kel have been preparing meals such as soup and bread, stews, pasta and other simple, nutritious meals, just as we have done for years.
During this time, we have also heard complaints from some people about the food being served. Some don't like soup, others don't like Chow Mein, sausages or other meals provided by our generous sponsors.
This has made us stop and reflect on why Feeding Friends was started in the first place.
We were established nearly five years ago to help people sleeping rough on the streets who have nowhere to cook a meal for themselves. We started because we wanted to make a difference, put a smile on someone's face, offer a hot meal, a friendly conversation and a little dignity to people doing it tough.
We were never established to be a restaurant, a takeaway service or a place where people can choose from a menu.
Our sponsors give generously because they believe in what we do. The BHP alone has provided approximately $46,700 worth of meals over the past 12 months. Stop and think about that figure for a moment. That is an incredible contribution from one local supporter, and we are grateful to every business, organisation and individual who has stood beside us.
When I recently spoke openly with our sponsors about the changes we were making and the reasons behind them, they appreciated the honesty. They, like us, want to know that their generosity is reaching the people who genuinely need this service.
Every meal comes at a cost to someone. Whether it is a business providing food, a volunteer giving up their time, or Don and Kel preparing meals, there is a real contribution being made behind the scenes.
From next week, we will be returning to simple, nutritious meals. There will be no more regular schnitzel nights or fancy meals. We will be providing soups, stews, pasta and other basic meals, along with sandwiches and pizza on our designated nights.
This is not about punishing anyone. It is about returning to our purpose and making sure we can continue to help those we set out to help.
We have also introduced a requirement that registered clients must have support through Mission Australia or the Salvation Army's homelessness team. Those who do not currently have a caseworker will need to connect with the appropriate homelessness support service as part of our process. This helps us work alongside existing services and better understand the needs of the people we are supporting.
Let's be clear about something. Feeding Friends is a small, truly local charity. We cannot help everyone experiencing hardship, and we have never claimed that we can. At this stage, our service is specifically for registered people sleeping rough on our streets.
We understand that many people in our community are struggling with the cost of living. We know there are people doing it tough for all sorts of reasons, and we have compassion for them. But we must remain focused on the people our service was created to assist.
And when it comes to meals, we believe a little gratitude goes a long way. When someone is sleeping rough and has no way to prepare food, a simple, hot and nutritious meal can mean so much. Our volunteers and sponsors give what they can, with good intentions and generous hearts. These meals may not always be everyone's favourite, but they are provided with care and compassion.
We are not here to judge anyone. We are here to help people who are doing it tough. But we also have a responsibility to our sponsors, our volunteers, our committee and, most importantly, the people who genuinely depend on us.
To our sponsors, thank you for your generosity, your honesty and your continued support. To our volunteers and committee, thank you for standing beside us and giving so much of yourselves to this cause.
And to our community, please understand that every dollar, every meal and every hour of volunteer time matters.
Feeding Friends is about PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE. It is about LOVE, RESPECT and DIGNITY. It is about making sure that those sleeping rough are not forgotten.
We will continue to put our boots on the ground, provide meals and treat people with compassion. We will also continue to be responsible with the generosity entrusted to us.
We started this journey nearly five years ago for a reason, and that reason has not changed.
We are here for those sleeping rough who need a meal, a little kindness and someone who cares. And that is where our focus must remain. ❤️
We hope in time that we can assist so many more but at this present moment, only those sleeping rough or if it is a special day in the park we put on 🙏
Don Barron
President
Feeding Friends Far West Incorporated
