2024 Food Kindness Award Leanne Johnson, South Albury, New South Wales

The Carevan Foundation’s Kids Cooking and Caring program provides healthy, nutritious food to people in need within the community, with Leanne Johnson at the helm.

Carevan is a local community organisation that provides practical support for members of the community that are in need or vulnerable in the local community. It’s a non-judgemental, non-political and non-denominational space where people can feel seen.

Created over 10 years ago, the Kids Cooking and Caring program, sees meals prepared, primarily by students from local high schools and supplemented by Carevan volunteers and Mercy Connect, a not-for-profit supporting people with disabilities. 

Between 175-300 meals are cooked each week, depending on demand or catering needs of community members experiencing homelessness, financial hardship or who are disadvantaged. For children living in disadvantaged situations, they have added food security from the program with nutritious meals, and support from all volunteers on the program.

Through her work, Leanne is not only providing for the community, but she is also teaching students how to cook and care for others. Her empathy, understanding and kindness shine through and bounce off the faces of those she helps with genuine affection and welcome – while the program shows how each student can make a positive difference in their community by contributing to disadvantaged individuals and families.

A testimonial from the Indi School – Wodonga Campus: “Cooking skills are shared and extended upon as all year levels of our students carefully cook up meals each week. They are not only learning new culinary skills but are caring for those in our community who need it most.”