By Callum Ludwig
The Koha Community Cafe has had a welcome donation from the Yarra Junction Library to help them serve their Thursday night dinners.
The Yarra Junction Library raised $300 from their book sale and in a time of cost of living pressures, wanted to help provide a nice meal for members of the community.
Team Manager at Yarra Junction Library Judy Cousins said Yarra Junction Library and the Koha Cafe have similar missions: to support the community and provide opportunities for inclusion.
“Both organisations seek to actively contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable community and the Yarra Junction Library Book sale has provided an opportunity to support the Koha Community Cafe with funds for their meals,” she said.
“We all know that groceries can be expensive and, from speaking to Suyin, I have heard that it is becoming a struggle to provide food for the meals. We felt that the $300 from our book sale was one way to directly help the people in our community.”
Previously the Yarra Junction library has also helped in receiving donations for Christmas gifts to pass on to Koha as well as the ADRA Redwood Centre for their Christmas appeals.
Founder of the Koha Community Space Suyin Chan said they are having to subsidise their meals and run on the smell of an oily rag anyway, so the funds are very much appreciated.
“On the other side of that, too, our donations aren’t going up because people are struggling and can’t afford to, and it’d be nice to be able to also have some Easter eggs at Easter for the kids when we have our meal,” she said.
“It will be appreciated by the people who come for a meal, and we hand out any of our excesses on the night and on Friday when our pantry is also open to distribute food and veg.”
