The logic is simple for Rob Caslick, founder of the Inside Out Organic Soup Kitchen in Sydney’s east. The most nutritious and healthy food should be eaten by those who need it most: the homeless and needy.

On Wednesday, 15 volunteers served 70 marginalised people prime cuts of lamb and organic vegetables at the soup kitchen’s Christmas dinner and together they enjoyed carols by the Sydney Street Choir.

During the year, Mr Caslick sought volunteers for the kitchen, which needs at least four to keep afloat, but this festive season he faced a surplus and had to turn away at least 30 people keen to serve.

“With all the interest, the soup kitchen can be bigger and better next Christmas,” said Mr Caslick, a mechanical engineer from Bellevue Hill. “It’s surprising how hard it is to volunteer, so keep going, get your foot in the door, please keep hassling because it’s worth it.”

Every Wednesday, suppliers Food Connect and Feather and Bone donate produce at the St Canice’s kitchen in Rushcutters Bay and by 7 o’clock volunteers have turned it into meals such as lamb rotisserie, vegetable rosti and osso bucco. At the Christmas dinner, there was plum pudding and custard.

From the Sun Herald, 23 December 2012, with thanks to Esther Han, Reporter, and Fairfax Media