By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
WARMTH isn’t just served on the plates at Cornerstone Contact Centre free hot lunches, it’s behind everything the support service does.
The free lunches every Wednesday and Friday attract about 100 people each sitting, with all revelling in the family atmosphere — replete with a pool table — within the church’s walls.
This is a safe place for Dandenong’s needy. As well as free meals, the contact centre gives out food parcels and rides.
Last Wednesday, as the Journal helped serve lunch, diners told how Cornerstone, led by pastor Don Cameron, helped them out of their lowest point.
A man told how when he lost his job, Cornerstone nourished him. Another was hungry. Cornerstone fed him and ever since he has volunteered in the kitchen.
Later, someone else drops in for the first time. He says he’s hitching to Darwin. He gets a food parcel of snack bars for the journey.
Mr Cameron is known as the “triple-0 man” — the one people ring when they’re in the hospital or police cells. Often he dips into his pocket to help someone out with $2 or $5, chef Gloria Anderson said.
“He does a lot of late nights. He’s always on the go and he’ll never talk about himself.”
Cornerstone will host a Good Friday lunch from 11.45am at the corner of Walker and Mason streets, Dandenong.
The centre needs a new commercial oven for its kitchen. Anyone who can help is asked to call call Don Cameron on 0415 888 528.
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