Loaves and Fishes

L to R - Xavier Gabrielle, Ashleigh Blogg, Tom Coupland, Sorayah Henwood, Alex Thian, & Jed Fenwick

On a cold Wednesday afternoon in Timaru, the parish hall fills with the smell of freshly made pumpkin and vegetable soup. Roncalli College students move between pots and bread, preparing to welcome more than 20 guests to a simple but meaningful Loaves and Fishes meal.

For those attending, it’s a chance to connect. For the students, it’s something just as important.

“It just feels nice to make other people feel good,” says Roncalli student Jed Fenwick.

Running every second Wednesday during Terms 2 and 3, Loaves and Fishes is a long-standing act of service within the school community. Students volunteer their time to cook, serve, and connect—offering not just a meal, but a warm and welcoming space for parish members to gather.

Year 13 student Xavier Gabrielle says the experience is valuable on both sides of the table.

“Students really enjoy being part of this. It’s also a great way to build confidence and step into leadership,” he says.

For regular attendee Colleen McKillop, the impact goes well beyond the food.

“I really enjoy coming along on a Wednesday. You don’t always get the chance to connect with people at church on a Sunday,” she says. “It’s also lovely spending time with the students—they make you feel younger.”

Moments like these are at the heart of Generation Give, an Aoraki Foundation initiative that highlights the everyday generosity of young people. Rather than focusing on big gestures, it shines a light on simple, genuine acts of service—like Loaves and Fishes—that strengthen connections and build community in quiet but powerful ways.

It’s a reminder that giving doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it looks like a bowl of soup, a shared table, and young people showing up for others.