TUCKED away behind the barber shop on East Market Street in Richmond is a ten-by-five-metre room where the homeless and poor in our town can find food and comfort.
The room is small, but inviting, equipped with a few lounges, a coffee table, a bookshelf and books, some indoor plants, and a desk/bar area, from which a small team of volunteers serve homemade morning teas and hot soup two days a week.
Dubbed ‘The Living Room’, the space operates as a drop-in centre where people in need can grab a coffee, secure a good meal, and have a rest.
Hobartville resident Lynda Dries, who runs The Living Room, said her patrons call it The ‘Loving’ Room. However, if she had more than just a room, she could share the love further, she said.
“I’m really wanting to expand and get a small house so I can do the right seating for them to sit and enjoy their meals. There’s not much room here,” she told the Gazette.
The soup - donated by a local business - is delivered weekly, put into slow cookers and refrigerated, to be reheated when required. Due to council regulations, slow cookers are the only means of cooking Mrs Dries is able to do on the premises.
“If you could help me find a house I’d be so appreciative,” she said.
Mrs Dries is appealing to businesses and community members of the Hawkesbury to help her find a larger premises, so she can expand her offering and help more people in need.
“A cottage would be the ideal scenario, but it has to be in Richmond, because that’s where we do our work. Richmond is my town and I’m very passionate about it,” she said.
“I get so excited on a Tuesday night knowing I’m going to be opening the doors on Wednesday, because I know someone will get help that day.”
Rent for The Living Room’s current premises is funded by Freedom Centre - a Christian church in Richmond.
Senior pastor Jeffrey Fazl said Freedom Centre covers the rent “no strings attached”, however the church cannot afford to fund a larger premises and he would like to see The Living Room become financially independent.
“We pay about $170 a week for that room, which isn’t super high, but we have three premises we have to maintain, and we’re a small group of 60 people,” he told the Gazette.
Mr Fazl said the work Mrs Dries does at The Living Room is close to his heart.
“I grew up poor, and I simply want to help the poor and homeless. We’re not listed as a charity; we’re not doing this as a tax write-off. We don’t have any agendas with it and people have a hard time understanding that,” he said.
