By Henry Povey, Treasurer
THE LIONS Club of Coolum Beach are proud to have donated to two great organisations in the past month.
OrangeSky and Save Our Streets Food Mart (SOS) are pivotal support groups for those in our community who are doing it tough, sleeping rough or otherwise in need. Orange Sky provides laundry services and, in some locations, shower facilities, while SOS provides food, meals and pantry/household supplies.
Situated in an annexe to the Uniting Church in Coolum Beach, SOS operates Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10AM to 2PM, and 11AM to 3PM Thursday each week. OrangeSky, being a mobile service, sets up alongside SOS every Tuesday morning, also from 9AM to 12noon.
Tables and chairs are provided, creating a casual meeting place. Many drop in for a cuppa and a chat, while others use some or all the services offered. Ellen from “The Last Drop Espresso” drops in too and provides a greatly appreciated caffeine hit!
A great service to those doing it tough in our community and worthy of Lion’s support. If you are interested in volunteering or donating please contact Lion Doug on 0413 019078; OrangeSky – go to OrangeSky.org.au; and SOS – Drop in and see Ken or one of the team during their opening times.
About Save Our Streets
Save Our Streets Ltd/Gurrie Ties (SOS) is a local, family-owned charitable business, operating as part of the Coolum Connect Network. With considerable and invaluable support from the Uniting Church. SOS provides essential services to people within Coolum Beach and its surrounds. Established over 12 years ago by Ken Jones and his wife, they are open four days per week. The SOS Food Mart is crewed by Ken and a group of loyal volunteers, including Rita (pictured above) and Rosa who is usually there on Tuesdays.
SOS provides food, meals and other pantry/household-related items to those in need within our community. What SOS need most are non-perishable foods, e.g. cereals, canned food, tomato pastes, noodles, rice, dry biscuits, jams, pickles, olives, nuts, etc. Packaged meals for microwaves are also beneficial, as are nourishing cans of tuna and salmon.
About OrangeSky
OrangeSky started on the Sunshine Coast in April 2016 and currently have 11 mobile shifts operating every week across Nambour, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Coolum Beach. Serviced by 85 volunteers every fortnight, they wash and dry clothes for people (friends), sleeping rough or doing it tough. While their washing is being done, together with the SOS team, friends can sit and chat, enjoy a coffee or tea and sometimes a piece of homemade cake.
Some friends who have been attending shifts since 2016 will still have their washing done, while others just come along for a chat and to keep in touch. Lots of friends will come back and let the team know that they are doing ok, e.g. have employment, reconnected with family, etc. It is always good to see friends and know that they are ok.
Being a volunteer with OrangeSky Sunshine Coast is a wonderful opportunity to positively connect with our community – OrangeSky.org.au