Community at Heart: The Central’s School Lunch Initiative
The Central is a true Butler hub where locals come together. Over the past six months, the team has also been quietly donating healthy lunches to local schools, a simple gesture that’s making a real difference for students in the area.
We sat down with Venue Manager Caro & Chef Chase to learn more about the initiative.
Where did the idea come from?
“For us, it’s about sharing the love,” Caro says. “Kindness always goes a long way, especially with schools who really appreciate it. As a family friendly venue at the heart of Butler Central, supporting local schools felt like a natural fit. We wanted to do something practical that could genuinely help.”
How long have you been doing this?
“The Central has been donating lunches for around six months now. In that time, we’ve seen just how meaningful a simple healthy meal can be.”
“The gratitude we receive is amazing,” Caro adds. “It makes it all the more worth it. The kids are happy to receive a healthy lunch and they’re very grateful.”
Which schools have received support?
So far, The Central has donated lunches to:
• Somerly Primary School and
• Clarkson Community High School
The team hopes to continue supporting more local schools wherever possible.
How can a school get involved?
It’s simple. Schools can reach out directly to Caro and share a bit about their school. From there, the team can look at how they can help.
Why is this important to The Central?
“As a community, we have to stick together and support our local businesses and schools,” Caro says. “Some students come to school without lunch, so supporting them was really important to us. No child deserves to go hungry. Being able to offer a healthy lunch was a no brainer.”
What’s the response been like?
“An absolute sense of thankfulness and gratitude,” Caro says.
For the team at The Central, that says it all.
What would you like the community to know?
“Kindness is free,” Caro says. “Giving back can go a long way. Supporting young people doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes a simple healthy lunch is all it takes.”
The Central continues to be a welcoming place for families to gather, dine and connect & behind the scenes, they’re also helping local students start their day a little brighter.
