Community Kitchens

Call Us: (02) 4979 1120

Email: ccenquiries@catholiccare.org.au

Everybody is welcome at our CatholicCare Community Kitchens. We are committed to providing assistance to families, children and individuals who need it most in our community.

CatholicCare Hunter-Manning opened our first Community Kitchen in Taree in December 2015 with the aim of providing a safe and welcoming environment for those in need. Since then, we have seen significant growth and have expanded our food services to provide meals in Forster, Toronto, Hamilton South and Newcastle.

Everybody is welcome at our Community Kitchens. On average, we serve approximately 800 hot and nutritious meals each week across our five locations. But our Community Kitchens offer far more than just a meal. With the assistance of volunteers, CatholicCare has created a space where people can feel safe and enjoy the company of others. Our kitchens also provide an opportunity for disadvantaged people to access other services via information and referral.

CatholicCare Community Kitchens provide support to anyone experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, mental illness, physical/intellectual disability, substance abuse and social isolation.

Our Community Kitchen locations

We are currently serving free hot nutritious meals at the below locations. For specific opening times and addresses, please click the location name for more information.

Taree

The Taree Community Kitchen currently serves free meals six days a week from Monday to Saturday.

Located at 250 Victoria Street, the kitchen serves about 100 meals a day, almost double the amount they were providing in 2021.

Visit Taree Community Kitchen

Address: 250 Victoria St, Taree NSW 2430
Hours: Monday to Friday 11.30AM to 1pm, Saturday11AM to 12.30PM
Ph: (02) 6539 5900

Forster

Since 2020, the Forster Community Kitchen has been serving free meals at the Forster Parish Hall.

From Monday to Thursday, staff and volunteers make sure all people who visit the Community Kitchen are welcomed with food, support and a smile.

The Community Kitchen currently operates in a partnership between CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning, the Forster Catholic Parish and Holy Name Primary School.

Visit Forster Community Kitchen

Address: 33 Lake St, Forster NSW 2428
Hours: 12PM – 1PM, Monday-Thursday
Ph: (02) 6539 5900

Hamilton South

CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning has proudly supported the Hamilton South community for many years through our Community Kitchen, providing a warm welcome and hundreds of nutritious meals to local residents each week.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of our food programs, we have decided not to renew our lease of the Hamilton South Community Hall. The final food service at Hamilton South Community Hall will take place on 10 September 2025.

Thanks to an exciting new partnership with the Livefree Project, we will continue providing food support to Hamilton South residents from 486 Glebe Road, Adamstown.

The first service at this new location will be on Wednesday 17 September 2025 at the regular time of 11am-1pm.

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, donors, and community members who have supported the Hamilton South Community Kitchen over the years.

Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing you at our new location.

Newcastle

Every Saturday night from 5.30pm until 6.30pm, people can visit Civic Park in Newcastle for a hot nutritious meal.

The friendly volunteers and staff serve an average of 30 meals per week.

Visit Civic Park Community Food Van

Address: King Street, Newcastle
Hours: 5.30pm - 6.30pm (during standard time) and 6.30pm – 7.30pm (during Daylight Savings), every Saturday
Ph: (02) 4979 1120
Email: foodprograms@catholiccare.org.au

Toronto

People in Lake Macquarie looking for a hot meal can visit the Toronto Community Centenary Hub every Thursday.

From 5pm, the staff and volunteers serve tea and coffee, with dinner being available from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.

Visit Toronto Community Kitchen

Address: 97 The Boulevarde, Toronto
Hours: 5PM – 6.30PM, every Thursday
Ph: (02) 4979 1120
Email: foodprograms@catholiccare.org.au

Donations

Our Community Kitchens receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of volunteers and donors to continue providing these vital services. Discover more about how you can help:

Community Kitchens