It’s two years now since co-ordinator and founder David Buckby launched the first fundraising drive to start the Tucker Van, raising about $24,000 from local businesses and individuals.

The van hit the road in July 2010 serving free hot meals to the city’s needy and, after trying spots near the old Denison Bridge and in lower Russell Street, now seems to have found a permanent home on Bonnor Street, near the Kelso Community Centre.

Volunteers are now handing out up to 60 meals a night each Tuesday, Thur-sday and Saturday, but the kitty is starting to run dry.

“We’ve just about run out of the first lot of money we raised two years ago,” Mr Buckby said. “It costs about $7000 to run the van, but the more successful we get the more it costs.”

Mr Buckby said the Tucker Van had handed out about 1500 meals during 2011, and about 500 frozen meals through the Bathurst Men’s Shed and Kelso Community Centre.

They are serving about six big 18 litre pots of soup a week and on just one night before Christmas had 60 people lining up to be served.

The Tucker Van is also seeking more volunteers to ease the pressure on those who have already signed up

Mr Buckby said the goal was to have enough volunteers to ensure people needed to dedicate just a few hours a month, and that younger volunteers were especially welcome.

“We get a lot of kids come to the van so if we can get some younger people to sit down and talk to them that can be great,” he said.

Even as he is asking for donations, Mr Buckby is working on a state government funding submission and said Bathurst MP Paul Toole had been a great supporter. He is also in negotiations with Coles to come on board as a supplier.

Mr Buckby again thanked the van’s main commercial supporters – Bourke’s Wholesale Fruit and Veg, the South Bathurst Butcher, Bathurst Bakery, Bathurst RSL and Clancy Motors.

n To donate to the Bathurst Tucker Van contact David Buckby on 0414 768 160.