Penrith is fortunate to have a well-supported daytime community kitchen, but when the sun goes down, many people still have nowhere to go. Mama Lana’s is the only grassroots, night-time community kitchen providing immediate, no-questions-asked support to hundreds of vulnerable people every week.

Through volunteer-led efforts, we provide hot meals, emergency food hampers, clothing, blankets, and essential care items, while connecting individuals with the services they need—all delivered with compassion, respect, and kindness.

YEAR-ROUND FOOD SERVICE

Mama Lana’s Community Foundation is the only local food service that operates year-round with no holiday breaks or missed nights. As of 2018, we have been operating out of premises with a commercial kitchen in the local Penrith CBD. 

This allows us to provide a free nightly food service of hot dinners, sandwiches and dessert to our local community members who are either homeless or economically struggling to make ends meet. On average, we feed up to 35–85 people every night, as well as offering clothing, hygiene items, hampers and support to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Penrith. It costs Mama Lana’s Community Foundation anywhere between $3 to $10 per serve, depending on the menu item, donated ingredients and what we receive from supermarkets and Foodbank.

FOOD HAMPERS

MLCF also provides crisis food hampers to people and local families who are doing it tough.

Depending on what items are donated, as well as what we receive from supermarkets and Foodbank, hampers are put together with perishable and non-perishable items, costing Mama Lana’s Community Foundation between $50 to $100 per family. If you, or someone you know, could use a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE

Anyone experiencing domestic violence, anywhere in NSW, can call the Domestic Violence Help Line toll-free. The Domestic Violence Help Line can arrange emergency accommodation and negotiate with other government departments, such as Health or Housing, to find additional support services for people who need them due to domestic violence. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Phone: 1800 656 463

LINK2HOME

Free Call: 1800 152 152

YOUTH EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION LINE (YEAL)

Provides a referral and information service across NSW to young people aged 12-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Available between 9am and 4 pm.

Phone: (02) 9698 5833 ext 25.

Alternatively, you can access the recorded message of vacancies in crisis services. There are two recorded messages – one for rural services and metropolitan areas.

Metro: (02) 9318 1531

Updated on weekdays by 9:30am. Lists all current vacancies in the Sydney area in youth services. Most services are suitable for under 18’s only.

Rural: 1800 424 830

Updated on Monday, Wednesday & Friday by 9:30am. Lists all rural vacancies & the region in which they are located. Most services are suitable for locals only.

Need more help? CLICK HERE to see other support services.