Growing Together: Community Service at Cannington Church

Serving Cannington: A Nine-Year Commitment

The Cannington Seventh-day Adventist Church has been actively serving the community of Cannington, in conjunction with supportive organizations like Orange Sky, for the past nine years.

Roots in Community Garden

Everything began with the development of the community garden. Shortly after, the youth of the church felt inspired to start a community soup kitchen. These programs have been run by volunteers. From the very start, they have given their energies, skills and knowledge to serve. They have followed the example and passion of Jesus by caring for the financially and emotionally stressed, and homeless, in our community.

Evolution of Humble Beginnings

These humble beginnings have evolved. Additional programs such as Helping Hands and a food pantry, have been created too. They are operated throughout the week to provide food relief hampers for those in need.

Dedicated Team and Community Support

Every Thursday and Friday, a dedicated team prepares three-course meals for the Friday evening dinner service (5-7pm). Volunteers sort boxes of food, generously donated by Second Bite and OzHarvest for the people who come for the meal. In addition, volunteers in the serving van provide hot meals to our dear visitors.

As a result of the hard work of our volunteers, both past and present, a small-group church has developed on the premises, meeting every Friday evening after the soup kitchen.

Community Garden’s Transition and Call for Volunteers

Up until this year, our community garden welcomed “work for the dole” clients and volunteers. They cared for organic and exotic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. At the end of 2023, our Community Garden Program Manager retired and relocated. Currently, one volunteer generously donates time to maintain the garden. The Cannington Community Support Centre is in need of more volunteers with experience and/or passion in horticulture, and attracting people for this crucial community garden program. The garden program has addressed Cannington’s local community needs through employment, training, social networking, mental health support, and horticultural education. We require a manager and volunteers to continue the work of Jesus, particularly in today’s economic stress.

Contact Us and Volunteer for the Garden Program

If you feel inspired to serve Jesus in this volunteer role, please contact our Community Centre Manager, Shane Law, or Pr Clark Riggins via email.

Email us for at either: cannington.adventist.org.au or clarkriggins@adventist.org.au

Clark Riggins - Fremantle and Cannington Seventh-day Adventist Church