A Sunday sausage sizzle offers relief — and community — in Hornsby

On the North Shore, there are a number of charities that provide food for those experiencing homelessness throughout the week. But over the weekend, places to find a free warm meal become scarce. 

The Hornsby Sidewalk Social is one organisation that was founded on the premise of filling that gap where many go hungry. 

Running on Sunday evenings, the program provides a simple barbecue and sausage sandwiches to those who need it most. 

What is it: Sidewalk Social runs from 6pm to 7:30pm each Sunday along Peats Ferry Road, just opposite Hornsby Council Chambers.

Local volunteers hand out free sausage sandwiches to anyone in need: which can be people experiencing homelessness, but also those suffering from drug addiction, those fleeing domestic violence, or people who might have somewhere to stay but are struggling to put food on the table.

• The charity was put together by Mark Langford, a Hornsby local of 30 years, who has been running food provision programs across Sydney for more than 50. Langford told the Lorikeet while most people turn up by themselves, he’s had families lining up too as day-to-day pressures and a high cost-of-living takes its toll.

• Langford says that homelessness, cost-of-living and rental stress are significant issues in the Hornsby area, and that since covid, these issues have only got worse. 

🗣️ “Regardless of how wealthy a suburb is, there will always be somebody doing it tough”, Langford told the Lorikeet.

Community support: The BBQ is operated by a crew of around 20 volunteers, working out of the back of a ute lent by a local construction business. On an average night, they’ll hand out around sixty sandwiches.

• While only running for a couple months, the charity has seen support from the community, with sausages donated from Westleigh Quality Meats and pizza from Young’s Gourmet Pizzas. 

Langford said given the project's small, self-funded budget, these donations are invaluable.