People from every walk of life are welcome and no-one will ever leave with an empty stomach.

For Bruce, a parishioner in Port Macquarie for the last 31 years, volunteering as the soup kitchen coordinator is much more than about providing a meal for the needy - it is about bringing people together in an environment where they feel loved, safe and heard.

"We have people who come here who have no accommodation, there are people who are battling drugs, others may have a problem with gambling or mental challenges. Others just need some company.

"We have never knocked back anyone who has come through our doors," Bruce said. "When people come in and share their stories with us, we can help them.

"It can be as simple as giving them a meal or some clothing, to connecting them to people who can get them the help they need."

Bruce has expanded the weekly meal service from a bowl of soup and a bread roll to a diverse, healthy, home-cooked menu with everything from lasagne and baked meats to sweet treats and delicious desserts.

He cannot thank enough the 20 volunteers who give their time every week to make the soup kitchen what it is today.

"There is so much to be gained for everyone in what we do. Not just those who use our service, but everyone who helps make it happen," Bruce said. "We have a great team of volunteers who all do an absolutely incredible job and without them, this service just couldn't function."

Bruce, a father of four and grandparent to nine, is all too aware of the pressures of life and that every person has their own story to tell.

His greatest satisfaction comes from giving back to his community in a selfless way and making a small difference to the lives of those who need the hand of kindness extended.

"I can be walking down the street and be so encouraged when I hear a voice say 'see you next week Bruce!'," he said. "I feel encouraged being in a position where I can give back to society by doing something I love.

"So many people need so much help these days. If we can sit beside them and show them love and be prepared to listen to them, sometimes that is all it takes."

As the customers trickle through the doors and are greeted with warm smile, the earlybirds quietly wait for service to begin or catch up for a weekly chat with their friends.

The laughter and clatter by the kitchen crew resonates across the hall along with the smells of the day's delicacies.

The food served today will not just satisfy hungry bellies, but also warm the heart and fill the souls of everyone involved.

Margaret attends the Wednesday soup kitchen at St Thomas's regularly and has been a customer for four years. She uses the Catholic Church's lunch service on a Monday.

At her usual table each week, she awaits the arrival of more than 85 other diners who benefit from the service each week. Many, she says, have become her close friends.

"He is brilliant," Margaret says of soup kitchen coordinator Bruce. "He is a good man, he looks after everyone and never turns anyone away - no matter who they are or what they are.

"I've been coming here for a long time. There are a lot of people here - a lot of my friends are here. It's nice."