Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support

04/09/2026

🎉 WE’RE A FINALIST!! 🎉

We are so incredibly excited to share that Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support has been named a finalist in the 2026 Victorian Volunteering Awards - in the Volunteering Innovation category!

This category recognises organisations that have developed new and innovative ways to engage, support and improve the experience of their volunteers, and this recognition means so much to us.

There is one person who deserves a particularly special mention - Michael Ketelaar.

Michael wasn’t simply involved in the changes we’ve made at Transit. He was the driving force behind them and the creator of so much of what we now have in place.

He saw where we could do things better and then put an enormous amount of time, thought and heart into creating the systems, procedures and volunteer engagement processes that have transformed the way we operate. As Transit has grown, these changes have helped us stay organised while still keeping the sense of connection and community that is so important to us. Michael, we are incredibly grateful for you.

But even the best systems mean nothing without the people who bring them to life - our WONDERFUL volunteers! ❤️

More than 200 people generously give their time, energy, skills and hearts to Transit. You cook, serve, sort, pack, drive, clean, welcome, listen, problem-solve, encourage and care for the people who walk through our doors.

You are what makes Transit, Transit. We truely do have the best volunteer family.

Thank you for continuing to show up, for embracing change as we’ve grown, and for bringing so much kindness, joy and heart into this place.

To be recognised at a Victorian level for Volunteering Innovation is very exciting - but more than anything, we are so proud of the people behind it.

Check out the other wonderful organisations who have made the list here!
https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/2026-awards-finalists/

03/09/2026

Happy birthday to Nikita, Vicki, Cheryl and Richard! We love and value each of you and hope you had a wonderful day. Sorry we’re a little late with this post, but please know how appreciated you are! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎉🎂

30/08/2026

Thank you to those who answered our call for baby formula last week. This sweet little Miss was enjoying a bottle with Grandma this morning, and just look at those beautiful, plump cheeks! 🩷

29/08/2026

26/08/2026

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for yet another delicious meal served to our guests today ❤️

26/08/2026

We are so excited to finally share this long-awaited practical guide for food relief organisations.

We know many organisations are working incredibly hard just to keep their heads above water - finding enough food, managing volunteers and meeting ever-growing demand. When you’re operating in survival mode, it can be difficult to find the time and headspace to truly connect with the people coming through your doors.

Beyond the Meal is designed to help organisations build stronger systems, ease some of that pressure and create space to connect with guests in order to understand what else they may be facing and help them find pathways to the support they need.

Every organisation is unique, with its own strengths, community and way of doing things. We don’t want to change that or create more “Transits.” We want to work together, helping organisations strengthen what they already do and develop an approach that works for their community.

With the City of Casey’s food relief grants currently open, now is a great time to explore what might be possible.

Download your FREE guide from our website:
www.transitsoupkitchen.org.au/beyond-the-meal

25/08/2026

Were you listening to ABC 774 this morning?

If you were, you may have heard a familiar voice.

Raf Epstein is spending three days at Bunjil Place, giving local people the opportunity to be part of ABC 774's 'Your Say' segments, listening to Australians about the issues, challenges and opportunities shaping everyday life.

Michelle was there this morning and had the opportunity to speak about Transit and some of what we're seeing in our local community.

It was a great opportunity to put a little of Transit's story into the wider conversation and to highlight the experiences of the people who come through our doors each week.

Thanks to Raf and the ABC Melbourne team for coming to Bunjil Place and, importantly, for taking the time to listen.

23/08/2026

These guys are incredible!

22/08/2026

And just like that… we have a ceiling!!

What a difference this makes to the space already. It’s really starting to feel like a completely different shed!

Another huge step forward for Together We Build.

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

One more working bee to go!

19/08/2026

APPEAL – BABY FORMULA NEEDED

We’re hoping our community might be able to help a local young mum who is doing it tough and currently struggling with her milk supply.

Her baby (8 weeks old) has been supplementing with the formula pictured, and if possible, we would really love to keep bub on the same formula rather than changing brands.

If anyone is able to donate an unopened, in-date tin, it would be incredibly appreciated.

Sometimes food relief looks like a trolley of groceries. Sometimes it’s making sure a mum knows she can feed her baby tonight. ❤️

Please message Transit if you can help, or donations can be dropped into us during our opening hours.

Thank you, as always, to our incredible community.