The “Kai Kitchen” visitors enjoy the warm meals and the company.

EIT’s Regional Learning Centre in Waipukurau is proving once again that it is not only a learning hub but a place where exciting things for the good of the community are happening. Since its launch on the March 22, every Friday evening at 5.30 the learning centre transforms into a EIT Wharekai.

With the help of student volunteers and staff members Kathryn, Sandra and Nicola are dishing up a yummy meal for local people to come along, socialise and enjoy a dinner together. After all it’s not a secret that food tastes better when you eat with company. Food donations come from Countdown and the local food rescue.

The volunteer group starts to cook the food every Friday afternoon and then invites anyone in the community to come. Up until now the “Kai Kitchen” has been a resounding success. “We get a lot of single mums and almost half of those that come are children. The most visitors we have had is 50 so far but we know the number will grow as the weather gets colder,” says Sandra. “We thought we would keep it going through the winter months and then reassess it.”