People from all walks of life - chatting, smiling and sharing a meal - have been gathering each Wednesday at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre, turning strangers into familiar faces.

What began as a simple idea to bring people together had quickly grown into one of Kiama’s most welcoming weekly traditions.

The Everyday Table opened eight weeks ago, created by Esther and Nathan Keenan as a place where anyone could walk in, pick up affordable groceries, sit down for lunch and feel a sense of belonging.

“We’ve always had a heart to just bring people together, so people feel like they belong to something,” Esther said.

The couple’s instinct for community support dates back to COVID, where they cooked free sausages and poured coffees at the lighthouse for locals on their daily walks.

When restrictions eased, the Keenans continued to look for a meaningful way to bring people together - The Everyday Table became their answer.

Councilor Yasmin Tatrai and volunteer Eunice Kuintana-Smark help prep Wednesday's free lunch

By last week, the pantry had doubled in size and the long lunch table had become a reliable meeting point for newcomers and long-time locals alike.

The pantry operated on a simple principle: every visit helped someone else.

Shoppers could buy low-cost groceries, fresh produce and complimentary items sourced through Good360, including toys and household supplies.

“Even a $10 donation goes towards the complementary items we purchase, because we don’t charge for those,” Keenan said.

“It means families who can’t afford a present for a birthday party can pick one up, or parents can get something for their own child’s celebration.”

A volunteer helps water plants at the new garden

Local businesses have played a role in helping keep the shelves stocked. Cafés donated meals, while Jamberoo Valley Seedlings and The Passion Project supplied fresh produce.

Some of the seedlings had already been planted in the new garden outside the centre - a project proudly overseen by the Keenans’ 10-year-old son and his grandfather.

“The idea with this was that we could use it for our free lunches, and people could take home the excess,” Esther said.

Inside, the pantry expanded almost as quickly as the garden.

“We started with two shelves and by week seven we’d got four shelves plus a table of fresh produce,” she said.

Despite the warm atmosphere, Keenan said some visitors were hesitant to step inside, unsure if they “qualified” for lower-cost food or worried they might be taking from someone else.

“Everyone’s welcome. That’s been the conversation with so many people,” she said. “It’s not just for people who look homeless or like they’re struggling. The reality is everybody needs a little bit of help at times.”

The location at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre was chosen for its accessibility, with convenient parking making it easier for new visitors to drop in.

Kiama Councillor Yasmin Tatrai, who helped secure the venue and storage space, said the real magic happens around the tables.

“It’s as simple as having a chat,” Tatrai said. “The stories you hear - they’re amazing.”

She recalled one man who had worked as a plumber in Kenya and continued to sponsor a girl there, ensuring she could stay in school and attend activities she otherwise couldn’t afford.

“That came from just having a chat over the table,” she said.

With December approaching, the program has shifted into festive mode. Starting next week, volunteers will begin preparing Christmas hampers for 30 families across Minnamurra Public, Kiama Public and Kiama High, guided by student support staff who identified those with the greatest need.

New Lego sets and age-appropriate toys are also available for parents who need help with gifts.

Complimentary toys and gifts for anyone in the community to take

“We think it’s really important that we don’t just ask for help - we give it to our community as well,” Keenan said.

The Keenans also supported the Kiama Leagues Club’s Christmas Toy Drive alongside Waminda, with fairy lights and Christmas carols planned to add some festive warmth to the neighbourhood centre as volunteers helped wrap Christmas presents.

Free lunch is served each Wednesday from 11.30am to 1.30pm, though many linger long after the food is finished.

“People have said, ‘I don’t know anyone in town, so we came to meet people,’” Keenan said.

“Then in that first week I saw them four times in town and said, ‘You obviously now know somebody.’”

Small moments stand out - like a parent who told Keenan they couldn’t afford a bag of potatoes for their kids after doing the rest of their supermarket shop.

“If we can just help in tiny little ways - a bag of potatoes here is $2 - that makes a difference,” she said.

Donations to the non-profit are tax-deductible. Cr Tatrai said word of mouth is just as important as financial support.

“The more people who know this is available, the more people find belonging somewhere,” she said.

Keenan added: “And just because you’re not hands-on doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to help."

For the Keenans, The Everyday Table proves community doesn’t have to be complicated.

Come as you are, share a meal, pick up what you need, and help make someone’s day a little easier, including your own.