HALF Moon Caravan Park residents are getting a bit of love from the local community.

The council began co-ordinating free community lunches every Tuesday and they have been well attended with up to 20 residents having a feed..

Director of Community Services Peter Hunt said free lunches for residents gave them an opportunity to engage with other park residents and outreach service providers.

A range of organisations, including Fareshare, VicRelief Foodbank, St Vincent de Paul and St Bridget’s North Balwyn, donate bedding, linen, clothing and household goods, as well as food parcels.

“The lunch program was a council initiative developed to create a social opportunity, in a safe and supportive environment, for park residents to come together over a nutritious meal and meet with representatives from service providers,” he said.

ISIS Primary Care CEO Terry O’Brien said it was a way of dealing with social isolation for people living in caravan parks.

“Because there is a real risk of people who are living alone becoming isolated, we’re encouraging people to get out in a safe and secure environment,” he said.

The Salvation Army Places Program, Western Region Health Service, Metrowest, DASWest Drug and Alcohol Service, Mercy Mental Health, Centrelink, Tenants’ Union, ISIS Primary Care and Western Suburbs Legal Service provide support on a rotating basis.