Jess shares about the power of creating community...

Over a weekend in March, the Melbourne COC campus ministry had the opportunity to volunteer for '300 Blankets, Soul Kitchen' - a community service program held every Sunday evening that is dedicated to providing support for those in the community who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 
Students gathered at a local community hall, myself and students from our campus ministry plus other 300 blanket volunteers gathered to prepare and serve a nutritious and delicious meal with the guests attending - people who may be struggling to make ends meet or possibly feeling socially isolated. 
The evening was fun and relaxed, but at the same time it was a safe and respectful environment. For myself it was a really rewarding experience to hang out, chat and share dinner with these members of the community who are often stigmatised and ignored by so many. There are so many genuine people of all different ages that just love a good chat and a game of Uno. 
So many of the guests openly voiced how grateful they are for the program and the incredibly yummy food that’s provided. They shared how the program has created a small and special community it in itself and how it is now something many of them look forward to each week. 
Being part of that evening also helped me understand how it’s not only third world countries I need to visit in order to serve as Jesus would, but theres many people from my own home that are in need. I’m convicted to show His love through service closer to home, so much more often than I currently do.
Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Jess Whylaw, Campus Student

Campus students playing with one of the children after a shared meal at '300 Blankets , Soul Kitchen'