Students, staff and parents from Matthew Flinders Anglican College are sharing their time, care and culinary skills to support the Community Meal program run by the Anglican Parish of Maroochydore at St Peter’s Anglican Church Maroochydore.
Across three sessions in Term 1, Flinders volunteers gathered in the College’s Infinity Centre Food Labs to prepare up to 60 hearty main courses and desserts each time. Volunteers also take part in a fortnightly roster serving meals at the church hall, helping to create a welcoming space for those in need.
Flinders has contributed to the initiative for several years. The project is guided by College Chaplain Reverend Kathrin Koning and supported by the Secondary School’s student CARE (Community and Religious Education) Committee.
Reverend Kathrin describes the project as “a true example of service in action”, offering not only nourishment but dignity, connection and community.
The Wednesday evening Community Meal offers a warm meal and companionship for people experiencing homelessness, hardship or loneliness, with around 60 to 70 meals shared each week alongside clothing, toiletries and access to visiting medical support.
Funding for ingredients is supported by the College’s Containers for Change recycling initiative, which began in the Primary School in 2025 and was quickly embraced across the Secondary School. The program transforms recycled containers into practical care for others, creating what Reverend Kathrin calls “a wonderful circle of service” that supports both the environment and people doing it tough.
CARE Committee Contributes to Service Across the Campus
Service continues across the Flinders campus through the CARE Committee’s activities, including community events, fundraising initiatives and opportunities for students to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of others.
Year 12 student, Lucy M, is the CARE Committee Captain and has enjoyed assisting with the St Peter’s Community Meals.
“In Term 1, the CARE Committee also helped in other ways on campus, such as for the Valentine’s Day bracelet-making in the Secondary Library, where we invited students to come at lunch to make bracelets for their friends,” Lucy said. “It was really amazing to see so many tables filled with students from Year 7 through to Year 12 coming together to have fun making bracelets for each other.”
Upcoming CARE events include running activities at the Primary School's Come and Play Day; supporting an Easter-themed Messy Church service; and helping to label the Prep students’ Bibles.
There is also an Easter bake sale in collaboration with the service Prefects to raise money for Bloomhill Cancer Care.
“Last year’s Christmas Bake Sale saw $422 raised for Bloomhill, and we hope to raise even more this year,” Lucy said.
CARE Committee Highlights
