By Jenel Hunt
The Lighthouse Community Centre on the corner of Grafton and Guy Streets stands out with its bright red stripe and portico … and its message of help and hope for the vulnerable in the community. But the helpers of Warwick would also like some help themselves.
Recently the centre had a small afternoon tea where they invited donors and others to show them what the group provided for people in need. While the Lighthouse is probably best known for its op shop frontage where it displays homewares, books and clothing, it actually has two more strings to its bow – a furniture shed and a food relief room. Being able to offer food relief is thanks to the generosity of a number of shops in town – Aldi, Woolworths, Coles, two Subways and Donut King.
The three segments operate from different frontages at the same complex, with the op shop and furniture shed being open 9am to 1pm Monday to Thursday while the food area is open for a few hours in the morning every day except Sunday (9am to noon Monday to Thursday; closes an hour earlier on Friday and Saturday).
For Joanne Wallace, the co-ordinator of the Lighthouse, it’s the furniture part where the most help is needed.
“We need volunteers, especially able-bodied men who can drive the furniture truck for deliveries,” she said.
“And to do the food runs. The food has to be picked up and delivered here then it’s distributed to whoever walks through the door.”
“We’d love to recruit younger helpers, especially for the furniture pick ups and delivery. We need two men in the truck at all times.“
Once the food runs out, the food relief room shuts up shop for the day.
Joanne said many people accessed the food service.
“I’ve been doing this for over a year and things have definitely got worse in that year. The line-ups have increased in that time,” she said.
If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer for the Lighthouse, they can ring 0481 088 620 during open hours to talk to Joanne.
