Cooking up hot meals and human connection

One Meal - It Makes a Difference
Humble. Genuine. Driven

Rob Cook is on a mission to provide healthy hot meals to people in need across the Sutherland Shire, but his work is about more than food.

In 2016, Rob became a founding member of the Sutherland Shire branch of One Meal – It Makes a Difference, and leads a group of volunteers who provide up to 150 meals a week to people who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet.

The volunteer-driven organisation is active in several areas of Sydney and collaborates with other not-for-profits to help people access other support services, such as emergency financial relief or counselling.

Rob has personally assisted in finding emergency housing for people and has arranged haircut vouchers from local hairdressers. He has also organised medical and dental treatment for patrons who struggle to access these services themselves.

“Our ultimate aim is to assist and support our patrons to return to independence,” says Rob.

“Importantly, we provide an environment where patrons can interact with each other and with our volunteer group, providing them with connections and community.”

Social connection is of huge importance, Rob says, as many people with material needs are also isolated.

Rob is grateful to be voted a Westfield Local Hero and appreciates the community support. But he says the service is a team effort and everyone deserves recognition.

“I find that helping someone in such a direct way is hugely rewarding. It leaves you feeling good,” he says.

Rob is also an energetic fundraiser and led a drive to replace the worn-out van previously used by the charity. This has enabled the volunteers to expand their service to Cronulla and Miranda.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. One Meal is using its grant to cover the ever-increasing operating costs of its growing service and to buy a deep freezer and food handling equipment.

“I am very happy that One Meal Sutherland Shire has received this grant, and I thank our team of volunteers who make it all possible,” Rob says.

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __