Alex Makes Meals is a Melbourne-based food relief organization that prepares and distributes nutritious, ready-to-heat meals to vulnerable communities across the city. We partner with over 50 charities and community organizations to ensure no one goes hungry.

Since our founding during COVID-19, we've delivered over 1 million meals to people experiencing homelessness, families in crisis, older adults, and others facing food insecurity.

You can donate through our website using credit card or PayPal. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Your donation directly funds:

• Fresh ingredients for nutritious meals
• Kitchen equipment and operations
• Refrigeration and delivery services
• Partner organization support

Every $25 donated provides meals for a family for a week.

We welcome volunteers of all skill levels! No cooking experience is necessary.

To get started:

1. Visit our Events page to view upcoming volunteer sessions
2. Register for a session that fits your schedule
3. Attend a brief orientation when you arrive
4. Join our team in preparing meals

Volunteer sessions typically run for 3-4 hours and include all equipment and training. We also offer corporate volunteer programs for team-building experiences.

Our meals are distributed through a network of 50+ verified partner organizations across Melbourne, including:

• Emergency accommodation services
• Community health centers
• Youth support services
• Family support organizations
• Housing services
• Mental health programs

Every partner organization is thoroughly vetted, regularly reviewed, and publicly accountable. We ensure meals reach those who need them most.

Absolutely! We offer several corporate partnership opportunities:

• Team Volunteering: Engaging team-building sessions where your staff prepare meals together
• Financial Sponsorship: Support our operations and programs through donations
• Event Sponsorship: Sponsor our fundraising events like Feast to Feed
• In-Kind Donations: Provide goods or services that support our mission

Contact us to discuss a customized partnership that aligns with your corporate social responsibility goals.

Yes! Alex Makes Meals is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

You'll receive a tax receipt via email immediately after making your donation. Keep this receipt for your tax records.

Browse our upcoming events on the Events page. Each event has a registration button that will take you to the booking page.

For volunteer sessions, simply select your preferred date and time and complete the registration form. You'll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need.

For ticketed events like Feast to Feed, you'll be directed to our secure payment platform to complete your registration.

We prepare nutritious, balanced, ready-to-heat meals designed to meet the dietary needs of vulnerable populations. Our meals include:

• Protein-rich main dishes
• Vegetable sides
• Vegetarian and vegan options
• Allergen-friendly alternatives

All meals are clearly labeled with heating instructions, ingredients, allergen information, and best-before dates. We maintain strict food safety standards and focus on nutritional value while ensuring meals are appetizing and comforting.

Alex Makes Meals was founded by Alex Dekker in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Alex saw the growing food insecurity crisis in Melbourne, he began cooking meals from his home kitchen to help those in need.

What started as a personal mission quickly grew into a community movement. Today, Alex Makes Meals operates a commercial kitchen and works with hundreds of volunteers to prepare thousands of meals each week for vulnerable Melburnians.

Our commercial kitchen is located in Melbourne's inner suburbs. We operate from this central location to efficiently distribute meals across the greater Melbourne area.

We don't have a public-facing shopfront, but volunteers are welcome at our kitchen during scheduled cooking sessions. Check our Events page for upcoming volunteer opportunities and location details.

Yes! Monthly giving is one of the most impactful ways to support our mission. Recurring donations provide reliable funding that helps us plan ahead and maintain consistent meal production.

You can set up monthly, quarterly, or annual recurring donations through our donation page. You'll receive tax receipts for each donation automatically, and you can modify or cancel your recurring gift at any time.

There are many ways to support Alex Makes Meals beyond financial donations:

• Volunteer your time: Join our cooking sessions to help prepare meals
• Donate goods: We accept food items, containers, and kitchen equipment
• Fundraise: Create your own fundraiser for birthdays, events, or challenges
• Leave a bequest: Include Alex Makes Meals in your will
• Workplace giving: Set up payroll giving through your employer

Contact us to discuss how you'd like to contribute.

No experience necessary! We welcome volunteers of all skill levels, from complete beginners to professional chefs.

When you arrive for your first session, you'll receive a brief orientation covering food safety, kitchen procedures, and your role for the day. Our experienced team leaders guide you through every step.

Tasks range from chopping vegetables to portioning meals, so there's something suitable for everyone regardless of cooking ability.

Absolutely! Group volunteering is a fantastic way to give back together. We welcome:

• Corporate teams for team-building experiences
• School groups and university clubs
• Community organizations and clubs
• Friends and family groups

For groups of 10 or more, please contact us in advance so we can accommodate your team and ensure a great experience. We can also customize sessions for corporate groups with branding opportunities and impact reporting.

You're welcome to volunteer as often as you'd like! Some of our dedicated volunteers join us weekly, while others come monthly or whenever their schedule allows.

We run multiple cooking sessions each week, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Check our Events page for the current schedule and register for sessions that suit you.

Regular volunteers often develop new skills and take on leadership roles within our kitchen team.

Feast to Feed is our signature fundraising dinner event where guests enjoy a premium dining experience while supporting our mission. Top Melbourne chefs donate their time to create a multi-course meal, with proceeds funding our meal programs.

The event brings together food lovers, corporate sponsors, and community supporters for an unforgettable evening of fine dining and philanthropy. It's also a chance to learn more about our work and the communities we serve.

Check our Events page for upcoming Feast to Feed dates and ticket information.

We host a variety of events throughout the year:

• Volunteer cooking sessions: Regular opportunities to help prepare meals
• Feast to Feed: Our signature fundraising dinner event
• Corporate team days: Private sessions for workplace teams
• Community fundraisers: Special events with partner organizations
• Seasonal campaigns: Holiday meal drives and awareness events

Visit our Events page to see what's coming up and register your interest.

If your organization supports people experiencing food insecurity, we'd love to hear from you. We partner with verified charities and community organizations across Melbourne.

To become a distribution partner:

1. Contact us with details about your organization and the community you serve
2. Complete our partner application process
3. Undergo verification and onboarding
4. Begin receiving regular meal deliveries

We prioritize organizations serving those experiencing homelessness, family violence, mental health challenges, and other forms of disadvantage.

Food safety is our top priority. We maintain rigorous standards including:

• Commercial kitchen: Our facility meets all health and safety regulations
• Trained staff: All volunteers receive food handling training
• Temperature control: Strict cold chain management from preparation to delivery
• Clear labeling: All meals include ingredients, allergens, and best-before dates
• Regular audits: Ongoing compliance checks and quality control

We're registered with local council and follow all food safety requirements for community food services.

Partnering with Alex Makes Meals offers meaningful benefits for your organization:

• Team engagement: Hands-on volunteering that brings your team together
• CSR impact: Measurable outcomes for your social responsibility reporting
• Brand alignment: Associate your brand with a respected local charity
• Recognition: Acknowledgment on our website, social media, and at events
• Custom programs: Tailored partnership packages to suit your goals

Our corporate partners find that supporting Alex Makes Meals boosts employee morale and strengthens community connections.

We'd love to hear from you! You can reach us through:

• Email: Use the contact form on our website
• Social media: Follow and message us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Phone: Call us during business hours

For general enquiries, partnership proposals, media requests, or volunteer questions, our team typically responds within 1-2 business days.

There are several ways to keep up with our latest news and impact:

• Newsletter: Subscribe to receive monthly updates, stories, and event invitations
• Social media: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for daily updates
• Blog: Read stories about our partners, volunteers, and community impact
• Annual report: Review our yearly impact report for detailed statistics and outcomes

Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of any page on our website.

Alex Makes Meals distributes food through our verified partner organizations rather than directly to individuals. This approach ensures meals reach those most in need through established support networks.

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, we encourage you to connect with one of our partner organizations who can provide meals along with additional support services.

Visit our Partners page to find organizations in your area, or contact a local community health center or support service for assistance.

Since our founding in 2020, Alex Makes Meals has delivered over 1 million meals to vulnerable Melburnians. We continue to grow our impact each year, currently preparing thousands of meals weekly.

Our meals reach people experiencing homelessness, families in crisis, older adults living alone, and others facing food insecurity across the greater Melbourne area through our network of 50+ partner organizations.

A typical volunteer session runs 3-4 hours and includes:

1. Welcome and orientation: Brief safety briefing and task overview
2. Preparation: Washing, chopping, and preparing ingredients
3. Cooking: Working together to prepare large batches of meals
4. Portioning: Dividing meals into individual containers
5. Labeling: Adding ingredient and heating information
6. Clean-up: Leaving the kitchen spotless for the next session

You'll work alongside other volunteers and our kitchen team in a fun, supportive environment. Refreshments are provided!

Yes, we prepare a variety of meals to accommodate different dietary needs:

• Vegetarian and vegan options
• Halal meals
• Gluten-free alternatives
• Low-sodium options
• Allergen-conscious meals

All our meals are clearly labeled with ingredients and common allergens. We work with our partner organizations to understand the dietary needs of the communities they serve and tailor our meal production accordingly.

Yes, we accept donations of certain food items and supplies. We're often in need of:

• Non-perishable staples (rice, pasta, canned goods)
• Cooking oils and condiments
• Spices and seasonings
• Takeaway containers and packaging

For fresh produce and perishable items, please contact us first to coordinate timing. We also welcome partnerships with food suppliers and producers who can provide regular donations.

Please note we cannot accept home-cooked meals due to food safety regulations.

Yes, Alex Makes Meals is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). We also hold Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which means all donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

We maintain full transparency and accountability, publishing annual reports and financial statements. Our governance includes an experienced board and adherence to all regulatory requirements for Australian charities.