6 May 2014 Sharon Claydon will tonight join volunteers to serve the Merewether Community Meal at the Uniting Church, Merewether.The Community Meal serves more than 70 people every week with crowds sometimes swelling closer to 100. Homeless members of the community, boarding house residents and others just looking for some company, gather to enjoy a meal prepared from food donations by Oz Harvest and other local organisations. Volunteers and donors are the backbone of so many organisations and the spirit of giving and service shown here is a wonderful reflection on our community, Ms Claydon said. Gatherings like the Merewether Community Meal couldnt happen without the hard work of volunteers. I encourage anyone who wants to do something for their community to get involved here or with other local service providers, she added. The Uniting Church group have been serving the weekly meal in Merewether for four years and continue to expand their offerings, with a community pick-up and drop-off service now available. Most of the attendees are from Merewether and Cooks Hill but people often come from as far as Mayfield and Waratah. The pick-up and drop-off service means more members of the community can attend. Next week Australia will recognise 25 Years of National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration to thank volunteers within our community. Volunteers selflessly give so much of their time and energy to the community so its important that we stop to say thanks.