Salvos serving lattes by the lake

Hundreds of people turned out recently for the grand opening of a new Salvation Army café – ‘Sal’s by the Lake’ – at Lake Macquarie (NSW) earlier this year.

Salvos Divisional Secretary Major Warren Parkinson says the café presents an opportunity to connect with the community. “Plus, it allows us to raise money for local community programs, as well as provide employment opportunities,” he says.

The café initially hired young people who had received training through ‘Nourish Café’, part of the OASIS Hunter Youth Support Network (which provides training in a variety of fields such as retail and hospitality, and aims to help people enter or re-enter the workforce).

Café manager Richard Stark, says: “The café will be a family focused facility with the aim of giving friendly service at an affordable price.

“Most importantly, all profits made through the café will go towards helping fund local Salvation Army services in the community.”