Everyone knows Darcy Goodwin: he’s the multi-award winning ‘Five Loaves Mobile Soup Kitchen’ guy, recently declared a “humanitarian extraordinaire”.
Through his mobile soup kitchen operation, and with the assistance of a number of generous volunteers, Darcy prepares around 300 meals in the Northern Rivers each week, and distributes over 50 food parcels to local families.
He cruises the streets in his famous big white van labeled “Five Loaves Mobile Soup Kitchen: ‘Sharing is Caring’”.
It’s the only service of its kind in Australia. “There are plenty of stationary soup kitchens, but there’s no other service in Australia that does what I do – not in this fashion,” he says modestly. “It’s a general supporting operation not just for the homeless, but the needy, that includes struggling university students, people with low incomes or people who can’t afford a decent meal.”
Aside from delivering meals (and furniture) to families homes during the day, 6 nights a week at 6pm sharp he pulls up his van at designated spots on the streets of Lismore, Nimbin and Casino and feeds the homeless.
Darcy works up to 18 hours a day. “I start preparing around 9am every morning – cooking the soup, preparing the food. Then I head out and collect all the leftover or spare food from local businesses in Lismore (Henry’s Bakery, Goanna Café, Curves, Donut King, Pirlos Fruit Barn, Workers Club and Adcare). His service is not backed by any government funding. “We’re part self-funded, but I also rely on donations from the public and Lismore City Council provides a grant for a new vehicle every four years,” says Darcy.
He’s got a bad back today (he’s 80 next year!) but he won’t let that stop him from working, or giving the best hugs ever. “Age doesn’t enter into it – I’m just enjoying living life to the full.
“It’s totally enthralling, every moment of the day – I’m in my 20th year and I love it, darling… out on the highway, helping people with a genuine need for a feed. Every night is a treasure.”
Darcy’s unique operation has won him a raft of awards in recent years. Among his achievements, he was declared winner of the 1998 Australia Day award for community services, 2001 Australia Day award for Citizen of the year and received a centenary award in 2003. This year, his service to the local community was applauded by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, a humanitarian organization based in the United States. Darcy received a certificate, a personally signed letter and a $2000 cheque from the Supreme Master Ching Hai. In her letter to Darcy, she wrote:
“For your warm hearted love and concern for the needy, for your empathetic and gracious commitment to the care of others… we hereby applaud and celebrate the compassionate deeds of Mr Darcy Goodwin, humanitarian extraordinaire”.
Darcy feeds locals in Lismore on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Southern Cross University on Tuesday afternoons, Casino on Wednesday and Friday and Nimbin on Saturday. He also works at the Lismore Carboot Market every 1st and 3rd Sunday, morning until noon.
For info about pick-up destinations, you can contact Darcy at home (be sure to call before 8:30am) on (02) 6622 0318.
Posted: Wednesday August 27, 2008
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