Cafe providing free meals to families faces shutdown
Kirsty Parkes spends a lot of her time providing food and clothes to those in need amid the cost-of-living crisis by running a community cafe.
But now, her beloved cafe may close if she doesn't receive urgent financial help.
"We need to pay our bills in order to keep this going and if we don't pay our bills, people don't eat," Parkes, who has a big family of her own, told A Current Affair.
Community Cafe in Sydney's south-west became a safe haven for dozens of men, women and children, with over 100 people showing up every day.
The cafe is a place where people can get food, clothes and toiletries for free, as well as connect with others.
"We want to help people restore their value and restore their dignity," Parkes said.
"Our currency is just a little bit different. So instead of using money, we use manners. Because manners and kindness are free."
However, with an increase in costs and a lack of donations, the beloved cafe may soon be forced to close.
"Whether there's a rate rise, whether there's a petrol hike, all of these little things affect us tremendously and affect the numbers here," she said.
"We need to come up with some funds really desperately before then just to keep us open," she added.
She said that at this stage they require "around about $20,000. Our electricity bill alone is almost $10,000."
She added that Cabravale Diggers, who have been paying the cafe's rent, and Liverpool City Council, who have also been providing financial assistance, can't continue to hold responsibility for all of the bills.
"We've had fantastic sponsorship, we have fantastic people that back us ... but they can't carry the burden of this," Parkes said.
"This is something that the whole community needs to get behind and support."
The cafe provides invaluable support for customers like Ted and Lola, who find it hard to find a similar community.
"I go to church. Not even a church will help me," Lola said.
"These people - I don't even know them and out of nowhere they're taking rich and poor, whoever turns up."
"It's hard living on a pension. It's very hard," Ted added.
Parkes added that as things are starting to run out, she has had to impose rations, which has been difficult for her.
"We've had to then turn around and say 'look today, sorry we can only give you two loaves of bread because we just don't have enough for everyone that's going to come through the door'," Parkes said.
"That stuff breaks my heart. It absolutely kills me because people are hungry."
From Friday, customers may have to be turned away.
"It's terrible. How can we close? We see over 120 people a day. It's terrible," one of the volunteers at the community cafe said.
"The community needs it. We can't close. We absolutely cannot close."
Those who would like to help the cafe stay open have been encouraged to visit their Facebook page.
Image: A Current Affair