The Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support in Narre Warren has been granted a $400,000 grant by the City of Casey through its Community Service Organisation Growth and Attraction Fund, following recent refurbishment in late 2024.
The grant is the largest ever awarded by Casey and will be used to establish a Support and Skills Hub at Transit’s existing facility in Webb Street, Narre Warren.
This planned hub will support local residents to access the needed outreach support services on the site, in a trusted and safe space.
Casey’s Mayor, Stefan Koomen and Casuarina Ward councillor Kim Ross met with the Transit’s grants and community relations officer, Michelle Pinxt, to deliver the good news.
Mayor Koomen said that he would “like to congratulate Transit and their 120 volunteers who provide a fantastic service and do wonderful work in our community”.
“Navigating government systems can be overwhelming, especially for those who lack basic computer skills, don’t speak English or have mental health challenges.
“The creation of this hub will increase access to vital services and help our most vulnerable residents,” he said.
The new hub will offer referrals to social services, mental health support, legal aid, job training, resume writing workshops, first aid training, vocational training sessions and housing assistance.
Councillor Ross said that it will complement the service that Transit is already providing to the more than 1600 people who visit weekly for fresh groceries or a nutritious, three-course sit-down meal.
“The underlying causes of food security are complex, and this fantastic initiative is a big step towards deepening work between emergency food relief agencies and other community support services,” Ross said.
“It builds on Transits’ existing model that focuses on helping the community with efficiency and compassion, and allows for an expansion of their work on bridging the gap between crisis and stability.”
As for Michelle Pinxt from Transit, she said that food relief is often the first service people turn to when they’ve fallen on hard times.
“At Transit, we see firsthand how a simple meal can be a lifeline — not just physically, but emotionally too,” Pinxt said.
“This funding will enable us to establish wrap-around support services that offer practical, hands-on assistance to help people regain stability in their lives. It’s about more than just meeting immediate needs — it’s about helping people move forward with dignity and hope.
“We are incredibly thankful to the City of Casey for this grant, which makes it possible to turn this vision into reality. Their support empowers us to do more for our community and ensure that no one has to face hardship alone.”
