The official Pathfinders Pumpkin Run kicks off on Monday, but things are already in full swing. It’s been a big week with donations, cooking days, and community deliveries already underway across Inverell, Coffs Harbour, and Port Macquarie.
Coffs Harbour Deliveries
Our Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie teams have been busy preparing and delivering pre-made pumpkin soup to local community services.
- Pete’s Place, a vital drop-in service supporting people experiencing homelessness, received a large delivery of ready-to-serve meals.
- Warrina Women’s and Children’s Refuge, which provides crisis accommodation and support for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, also received a generous supply of soup.
- The Uniting Church Soup Place was another stop on the delivery list, helping to ensure even more people in need have access to a hot, nutritious meal.
More pumpkins have been set aside for the Coffs Harbour region, with additional deliveries planned in the coming weeks.
Inverell Donations and Cooking Days
In Inverell, our Out of Home Care team has been cooking warm pumpkin soup and making deliveries to community groups and support services.
- Meals and pumpkins were donated to Food For The Soul, a local organisation providing free meals and groceries to people in need.
- Pumpkins were delivered to Macintyre High School, where the school canteen will cook and sell meals to raise funds for students who need help covering excursion costs.
- Deliveries also reached the Inverell and Glen Innes Homelessness Support Services and the Inverell Women’s and Children’s Refuge, helping provide comfort and support to local families.
At the Inverell Women’s and Children’s Refuge, the donation of pumpkins was warmly welcomed by both residents and staff, who are now planning a special cooking day together. Residents have been invited to share their favourite pumpkin recipes, with pumpkin soup and pumpkin scones topping the list.
The cooking day is being planned as a way to bring residents together through a shared activity, building connection and encouraging confidence in trying new ingredients. To prepare, staff and residents have started cubing and freezing pumpkin portions in zip-lock bags, ready to be added to casseroles or used in hearty soups as the weather cools.
Pumpkin soup, served with locally donated bread and rolls, will offer a warm and comforting meal for children and families during the colder months while also helping to ease the pressure of rising food costs.
Thank you to everyone who has helped make this week such a success — especially the young people cooking soup and our dedicated staff across the region.
