Bunbury soup van helps satisfy hungry tummies

After a “long, hard road” to get the Bunbury Soup Van up and running, those behind the wheel of the much-needed initiative have been blown away by the response so far.

The grassroots community project, largely driven by soup van committee president Denise Ladhams, had its first soup run at the weekend and businesses and strangers have been praised for its success.

“The weekend was awesome and we received really good feedback,” Mrs Ladhams said.

“It’s been a long, hard road and we’re just stoked.

“And it’s the Bunbury businesses and individuals who have been really, really generous that should be incredibly proud.”

Mrs Ladhams kick-started the selfless project after several years volunteering with the now defunct Red Cross soup van.

While the committee behind the van is pleased with the results so far, it knows it still has some hurdles to jump.

“We’re still looking for a permanent home at the moment and then we’ve got approvals to get with the health department,” Mrs Ladhams said.

“But in the meantime, we’re full steam ahead and the good thing about the van is people can donate time, money or products.”

Vice-president Penny Farnell said Mrs Ladhams needed to be recognised for her “sheer determination and tenacity” to get the van up and running.