Shared Table closes its doors, but will keep its arms wide open to the community

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Every Wednesday for the last four years, on the corner of Montgomery Avenue, Murray Bridge, the Shared Table has opened.

The op shop and food relief service has helped all sorts of people over that time, thanks to Dawn Matthews and a team of volunteers.

Until now, Ms Matthews has been able to run the service out of her home shed, thanks to a one off-grant from the council.

But now she is relocating, and the Shared Table will take on a different shape.

Ms Matthews and her volunteers will continue to serve the community through home deliveries and shut-in services that they have been running for the past three years.

But only volunteers will be able to access the new property to pick up and deliver food to those in need.

“Even though it might be the final one here because of the property being sold, it still continues ... the food will now be delivered in another form,” she said.

“Everyone works around the clock, but … this is organic, it automatically happens because of the people.”

Dozens of community members came for the last in-person service on Wednesday.

Ms Matthews received many hugs and thank yous as locals collected food and other items for a final time.

One visitor hugged her tight, tears shed as he thanked her for all she had done. 

Ms Matthews gave a special thanks to all the volunteers and food donors, plus numerous others who supported the program, and were invested in its continuation.

“If we can shine love within our community, we’re going to have a real safe community,” she said.

“That’s what it’s about: being able to walk around the place feeling safe.”

• More information: Search for the Shared Table on Facebook.

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