Everyone has a place at the table in Ballarat
BY ANDREA REDFORD
The Salvation Army in Ballarat, Victoria, is partnering with a local school to serve the community and to develop students’ workplace skills and compassion.
The initiative, called ‘A Place at the Table’, involves a weekly community breakfast run by students from Ballarat Christian College.
The breakfast is held at the corps, with students supported by college staff and by Major Zane and Captain Marika Haupt, Corps Officers at The Salvation Army Ballarat Community Church.
“On Friday mornings, VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) students prepare and serve nutritious breakfasts, pack take-home lunches and welcome guests into a friendly cafe setting,” explained teacher Dr Trent Loader, who, alongside Zane and Marika, created the program.
“They also participate in planning, teamwork and reflection, and consider the community needs being addressed and how the program could improve.”
The idea for the program emerged from Trent’s desire to connect meaningful learning with a practical community need: “We wanted our VCE VM students to take responsibility for a community project where their contribution would make a difference.”
Trent met with the Haupts to discuss what might be possible, and the trio quickly found common ground.
“When we first began exploring whether this initiative was possible, we were pleasantly surprised by how closely the values of Ballarat Christian College aligned with those of The Salvation Army,” said Marika. “We committed those thoughts and dreams to prayer and, gradually, A Place at the Table began to take shape.
“From there, Zane and I spent time at the College, meeting and getting to know the students who would be involved. This gave us the opportunity to introduce them to The Salvation Army, both nationally and in the context of our local Ballarat community, and to help them understand the work they would be part of.”
Since launching in July this year, the students have embraced the opportunities offered by A Place at the Table.
Isabella, a student who serves meals each week, knows the program’s benefits extend far beyond learning to prepare and serve food.
“The best thing is being able to see the impact on the community members,” she said. “Being able to be a part of a larger cause and serving others is a huge reward for every student.”
Marika has been impressed by the students’ willingness to serve others and to try something new.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see them discover what they are capable of and recognise the difference they can make in the lives of others,” she said. “In a small way, I think our guests also feel they are giving something back to the students, making it a genuinely rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
Students in the kitchen preparing the breakfasts.
Beyond developing workplace skills, Trent said the students’ personal development is central.
“Students develop confidence, communication, teamwork and a stronger sense of responsibility because other people are relying on their contribution,” he said. “There is something powerful about a young person recognising, ‘I have something valuable to contribute.’ They are learning through being useful, building relationships and participating in their community.”
A Place at the Table reflects Ballarat Christian College and The Salvation Army’s shared commitment to hospitality, as expressed in Romans 12:13, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
“Ultimately, A Place at the Table is about more than serving a meal,” said Marika. “It’s about building relationships, creating a sense of belonging and helping young people discover the joy and value of serving their community.
“When organisations share a common heart for people, wonderful things can happen.”
Pamphlets onThe Salvation Army’s work are available as part of the breakfast morning. And the breakfast menu with a selection of meals.
