The Jindabyne Op Shop and Alpine Uniting Church have officially wrapped up their annual winter Monday soup and dessert night program, a volunteer-run initiative that provided crucial support to seasonal workers facing financial hardship.

The final soup night for the season took place on Monday 14 September, marking the end of a 14-week initiative that began in mid-June where more than 1200 litres of soup were served.

The program offered a free hot meal, a safe and warm gathering place, and an opportunity for newcomers to the area to meet people.

Jindabyne Op Shop management committee member, Don Hayman, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming community support this year.

“Regular supporters from past years returned to continue their support of the Monday night initiatives, but we also had more supporters come on board this year making it the most supporters we’ve ever had since starting our Monday night many years ago,” Mr Hayman said.

“We had a lot of community recognition and support this year and we appreciate everything everyone has done to help throughout the season.”

The initiative saw high attendance in the first two weeks of winter when the season got off to a slow start and visitors were without work.

The season also finished early for some workers, but the program maintained its usual meal numbers serving anywhere between 200 to 300 people each Monday night.

The volunteers served approximately 3600 soup meals throughout the 14 weeks - an estimated 1200 litres of soup, including 38 to 40 litres of vegetarian soup supplied weekly by the Adventist Alpine group, led by chef Terry.

Around 250 loaves of bread and other items like chips, bagels, and garlic bread, were served over the period that were donated by Woolworths and Snowy Mill Bakery.

More than 200 litres of fresh cooked vegetables were donated weekly by owner of the Jindabyne Emporium, Bob, and the team as well as a total of 85 litres of ice-cream, 100 jellies, 70 tins of fruit salad and 20 boxes of mixed fresh fruit.

Mr Hayman and the volunteers extended their thanks to numerous local businesses and individuals including Russell, Panpreeya and Ariya Brown and staff at Snowy Mill Bakery, Bob and his team at the Jindabyne Emporium, Kaz and Ricky, owners of a Jindabyne cleaning company, for donating funds and time, Gail Marsh, bank manager at Commonwealth Bank Jindabyne, for donating funds for food.

He also thanked Lieutenants Bryan and Debbie Bartlett from the Salvation Army for supplying weekly soup and the store manager at Woolworths, Mel, and staff for their support.

The Alpine Uniting Church was open on the Monday evenings during the meal for quiet reflection with Reverend Wendy McHugh on site to speak with those in need, which many found as a comfort while being far from home.

David Toogood, who visited the Alpine church this winter from Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT, helped with the meals while visiting and reflected on the program’s impact.

He said the church sought to understand the community’s challenges, concluding that a Monday night meal specifically for ski field workers was their calling.

“Throughout the snow season every year they run a Monday night dinner,” Mr Toogood said.

“It attracts upwards of 250, mostly young, ski workers every week... Monday is the end of the pay cycle and when this pinch hits hardest.

“So, every Monday night, Alpine Uniting Church, took things into their own hands and wanted to do something to support their community and a home cooked meal can make anyone feel better.

“We praise the volunteers for all they do for their community.”

The volunteers now look forward to their next initiative and focusing on the Op Shop as they shift from winter to summer months.