Kindness · Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia
Jenny Kearney's free Wednesday meals earn her an OAM
Who is Jenny Kearney of Soul Food Bacchus Marsh?
Jenny Kearney, secretary and coordinator of Soul Food Bacchus Marsh, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours. The volunteer group serves a free two-course hot meal every Wednesday to anyone who needs it. It served 2,800 meals in 2020 and 10,000 last year.
What happened?
Jenny Kearney is the long-serving secretary and coordinator of Soul Food Bacchus Marsh, a volunteer-run food programme in Victoria, Australia. In June 2026 she received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Kearney is a mother of five and grandmother of 14 from Exford. She said she was “surprised, humbled and honoured”.
What does Soul Food do?
Soul Food began in 2009, and Kearney was one of its first members. Every Wednesday, volunteers serve a free two-course hot meal at St Bernard’s Parish Hall in Bacchus Marsh. Anyone who needs a meal is welcome.
The group also:
- gives emergency and outreach food relief
- pays for sport for children whose families are struggling financially
How has demand changed?
Demand has grown as living costs have risen. Soul Food served 2,800 meals in 2020. Last year it served 10,000.
Local businesses and households donate surplus fruit and vegetables. Kearney said a survey of guests found that 78 percent never bought fresh fruit and 74 percent never bought fresh vegetables.
Why does it matter?
A regular free meal gives people food and company. Kearney calls it “compassion in action”. She describes the approach as “no questions, no judgement”.
The same idea drives community food projects in Britain. Raihaanah Ahmed’s St Albans Community Pantry and Florence Coke’s Stockport takeaway both won Pride of Britain awards in 2026.
Sources & reporting notes
We checked The Moorabool News report of 8 June 2026. The meal numbers and survey results come from Kearney, as quoted in that report; we have not seen the survey itself. The newspaper describes the honour as 'for service to the community'.
- The Moorabool News · 8 June 2026
Report of Kearney's OAM and Soul Food's growth, with her comments on demand and support.
Have a correction or a confirmed update? Contact our editorial team.
Common questions
- Who can eat at Soul Food Bacchus Marsh?
- Anyone who needs a meal. Kearney describes it as 'no questions, no judgement'. The two-course hot meal is served every Wednesday at St Bernard's Parish Hall.
- How can local people help Soul Food?
- Local businesses and households already donate surplus fruit and vegetables. Kearney said more support from businesses would help the group.
