AFTER two months of operations Griffith's soup kitchen is set to become a firm fixture in the city.

While the initial idea of the soup kitchen was to offer a meal and activities to young people in need, it will now be expanded to cater for all age groups.

Organiser, Suicide Awareness president Val Rowe said the program had exceeded all expectations.

"With the amount of kids we have seen each week we thought it was time to offer an extra meal to older people," she said

"We have seen an average of 20 kids a week come along, our theory is that while ever they are hungry we'll keep providing the meals."

"The community has been wonderful, dropping off soup and other food items for us to use."

The soup kitchen operates from 6.30pm to 8pm each Friday night at the PCYC. Griffith Skills Training Centre has thrown their support behind the initiative and now supervise the program.

Griffith Skills Training Centrre manager Mark Taylor said he was happy to support the project.

"At the end of the day we are in the same line of work, we deal with homeless and disadvantaged people," he said.

"I think it is a great idea and if we can help we will."

"We see the need in Griffith on a daily basis. Certainly there are older residents in need."

Story by Tanya Pattison, The Area News, Wednesday May 24 2006.