A decade of dedication and compassion

Dana’s journey as a Vinnies Soup Van volunteer began with a simple conversation with a colleague at her part-time job during her university days. "I worked with a wonderful lady who happened to be a Vinnies volunteer. She talked about it like it was a lot of fun and got me signed up," Dana recalls with a big smile.

Almost a decade later, the 28-year-old is still a “Vannie”, as the soup van volunteers call themselves, and a much-appreciated, loved and integral member of Victoria's 11,000+ St Vincent de Paul Society volunteer community.

Feeding hundreds of hungry Victorians every day and night

Skilfully, the registered nurse with a Master’s in Global Health who now works as a Senior Officer in Victoria’s state emergency recovery management is chopping eggplants and zucchini for a deliciously smelling vegetable soup. It’s slowly simmering in an impressive 40-litre pot next to her in one of the Vinnies soup van hubs.

Later in the night, Dana and her team will ladle out the soup in cups and hand them to the constantly growing number of Melburnians queuing up in front of the iconic soup vans of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria. Every night and day, they roll out, feeding hundreds of hungry Victorians – children and adults.

A journey from a teenager into a well-rounded, strong adult

Dana’s long-term commitment to serving the community stands as a testament to the transformative power of volunteering. It’s also the journey of a young teenage volunteer who grew consistently in confidence and capabilities into a well-rounded adult with a strong sense of social justice, always ready to roll up her sleeves wherever needed.

Now, shouldering immense responsibilities in her demanding job coordinating relief and recovery activities for major disasters, often under enormous pressure and difficult circumstances in her job, Dana remembers how she felt when she started with Vinnies.

Although she grew up with parents who volunteered, a strong sense of the importance of community service, and naming “giving back to the community” as one of her core values, she admits that initially, she was a bit sceptical about joining Vinnies.

The feeling of being connected as a volunteer

“I remember being very nervous rocking up on my first day, not knowing what to do or expect and also not necessarily wanting to see or deal with things that might be very challenging,” Dana remembers. However, these doubts were blown away when she met her fellow volunteers: “All of a sudden, we were talking about the TV series Downton Abbey, we connected, and once you feel you’ve connected, it’s much easier to find your rhythm,” she explains.

“It might sound funny, but you are a cog in a much bigger cog that is turning right around the place. Your role is important, but there are lots of other people around you in different roles. You will not get thrown into something you will feel uncomfortable doing.”

Dana explains that, for example, on a Wednesday night, volunteers can take on three roles: putting cold items into food packs, giving out hot drinks and pouring soup, and being a "floater," which means walking around and chatting with people. “If you don’t feel comfortable interacting with clients, you could ladle out soup with lots of volunteers around you to support you.” There is a role for everyone.

Volunteering - an incredibly rewarding experience

Dana’s background in nursing and her current role in emergency management imbue her volunteer work with a profound sense of purpose and perspective. "I think it's very important to continue your on-the-ground face-to-face client interactions where you can, especially when you are removed from it in your day-to-day life," she reflects. "It is incredibly rewarding, and the experience can really shape how you go about your normal work practices."

Dana finds parallels between the relief efforts she coordinates in her professional work and the grassroots support she provides through Vinnies. "It's the same humanitarian needs you'll meet for people here on the ground. And that connection that you bring as a Vinnies volunteer can bring to your coordination role in the state control centre."

Dana's experience with Vinnies has enriched her professional life and deepened her understanding of human dignity and resilience. "Treating everyone with dignity, for example, is a lot of what you learn as a nurse that you can bring to the role here," she shares. "It doesn't matter what the stories of the people we assist or how they've landed in a particular position. You're still there, and you're still giving them a little bit of humanity back when you volunteer. They're certainly really grateful for everything."

Finding lifelong friends through volunteering with Vinnies

For Dana, volunteering with Vinnies is about more than just providing essential supplies—it's about fostering connections and restoring hope. "We don't volunteer for the praise, and we don't volunteer for the thank yous," she asserts. "We volunteer because we genuinely get something out of those interactions with people and knowing that you've been able to help them in a different way."

Her dedication to serving others extends into supporting new volunteers and maintaining a sense of community. "It's more than just community service. It's about the social connections that you get and the lifelong friends that I've made through Vinnies," Dana shares warmly. "It's another group of friends that you catch up with regularly on a Wednesday. I see it more of a social outlet."

As Dana reflects on her journey with Vinnies, she is grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. "If you've got an able mind, if you've got the time to be able to give back, that's where I think that sense of community service becomes a value for me," she muses. "And I'm aware that in the current fiscal environment, you can't necessarily give back the way you might want, but volunteering can be a different way of giving back to the community around you."

Learn more about:    Volunteering     SOUP VANS