Despite media exposure on the TV show Today Tonight the Peel Community Kitchen is still struggling for funding.
Manager Tracey Bain and her team of volunteers appeared in Today Tonight TV show talking about their struggle for funding earlier this year, hoping some good Samaritans would chip in some money to keep the kitchen open.
According to Ms Bain, Today Tonight's unexpected visit caught them off guard.
It came with only a two-day notice and over the weekend, meaning they had no time to set up a proper fundraising page for potential donors.
“They called on a Friday and dropped by on the Monday. We had nothing to donate to. We had nothing in place. It was a really good piece and they spent two hours here, but people couldn't donate afterwards,” Ms Bain said.
Despite bringing some new funding, Ms Bain said their TV appearance came with unexpected consequences.
“It has backfired for us a little bit,” she said.
“The show made it busier.”
Ms Bain said they were able to cope with the food demand, due to the help of local businesses, but they still had no funding to pay for their $1500 weekly expenses, including food, kitchenware and two salaries.
“We only spend $400 a week on food and we serve 1000 meals a week,” Ms Bain said proudly.
Ms Bain hopes more local businesses will join in the quest to keep the kitchen alive by donating small amounts every week.
“We currently have $6000 saved from the public, but that will only last us for a month,” Ms Bain said.
The kitchen started off in the same carpark in Sutton with Gibson as a soup van seven years ago.
Ever since the demand for services has only grown.