A well-loved and vital community meal has received a welcome boost, thanks to support from a generous business.

Comfort Kitchen, HBNC’s free weekly community meal, received a $20,000 donation from chartered accounting, business advisory and wealth management firm, Ulton.

The funds, raised at this year’s Ulton Race Day, will go directly towards providing more than 100 meals per week to people in the Hervey Bay community who are struggling financially and socially.

Ulton’s annual Race Day, held in Bundaberg, brings together clients, associates, and team members to raise funds for causes relating to homelessness or vulnerable people.

A day at the races is always filled with excitement, and this year’s Ulton Race Day was no exception.

While guests enjoyed a day of fun, fashion, and thrilling races, the real winners were those benefiting from Ulton’s generous community support, Ulton Partner, Natalie Macdonald said.

"Ulton Race Day is our way of showing appreciation to our clients, associates, and employees,” Ms Macdonald said.

 “It’s an opportunity to enjoy great company and local racing while also giving back to the community.

“We are incredibly proud to donate $20,000 to HBNC’s Comfort Kitchen. It’s wonderful to support a grassroots program that brings people together and makes such a positive impact on the community.

“At Ulton, we believe in giving back to the communities that support us. Our involvement with Comfort Kitchen aligns with our values of human first and partnership, and we are proud to be able to support their efforts in providing a safe space for connection and care.”

Tanya Stevenson, HBNC CEO, welcomed the donation and thanked the Ulton team for their generosity and community-mindedness.

“Comfort Kitchen is a fully self-funded program, meaning it relies on the generosity of community members, partners, and businesses like Ulton,” Ms Stevenson said.

“We are so grateful to the Ulton team for choosing Comfort Kitchen to receive this donation, which will make a real difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable.

“It’s through support like this that Comfort Kitchen has continued to serve the Hervey Bay community for more than 10 years.”

Ms Stevenson said Comfort Kitchen was so much more than a meal to many in Hervey Bay, emphasising the importance of socialising and building connection when attending the weekly event at the Hervey Bay Community Centre.

“Our dedicated team of volunteers work tirelessly each week to cook and serve delicious and healthy food for more than 100 guests,” Ms Stevenson said.

“More than that, they help provide a safe and supportive place for community members in need of connection and friendship.

“This donation will help us continue working towards our goal of creating connected communities throughout Hervey Bay.”

About Ulton:

Founded in 1926, Ulton is one of Queensland’s largest business advisory, chartered accounting, and wealth management firms.

With offices in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, and Gladstone, Ulton’s team helps ambitious individuals achieve their goals in life and business.

About Comfort Kitchen:

Comfort Kitchen provides a safe space for community members to connect over a meal, designed to break down barriers of isolation.

The program is self-funded and relies heavily on support from local individuals, businesses, and dedicated volunteers who contribute their time each week to prepare and serve meals.

If you would like to support Comfort Kitchen, please consider donating online.

Support Comfort Kitchen