Rough Edges

Supporting ‘Rough Edges’

The St Mark’s community supports ‘Rough Edges’ at St John’s Darlinghurst in a variety of ways, including financial support and providing meals to their kitchen one night per month (the second Sunday). Rough Edges is a place where community happens for people experiencing homelessness and marginalization.

Food drop-off

There are two ways catering can be provided. On the second Sunday of each month you can prepare a meal and leave it in the St Mark’s hall fridge before 6pm.You can give financially and a catered food drop will be organised OR you may cook a dish and drop it off at St John’s Darlinghurst at 7pm on the allocated dates (no contact drop off).

Option A – Give financially to provide catered food

To contribute financially please transfer money to the regular St Mark’s giving account and clearly mark it as “ROUGHIES FOOD”.

Account Name: St Mark’s Church Darling Point
BSB: 032 054
Account Number: 250036
Ref: ROUGHIES FOOD

Option B – Contribute a dish yourself

To contribute a dish please ensure COVID Safe Cooking: Please do not give food if you are feeling any cold or flu symptoms including sore throat, coughing, body ache, sniffles and fever. Rough Edges patrons are a vulnerable health group and your vigilance in keeping them safe is much appreciated.

Any questions please contact our volunteer Rough Edges coordinator via roughedges@stmarksdp.org

We invite you to sign up below to prepare a meal for your neighbours. Further information on quantities and delivery details can be found on the sign-up page.

Suggested dishes.  Main courses: Sandwiches, roast chicken, lamb or beef; lasagne, sausages, rissoles, chunky soups, salads, roast vegetables, noodle salads, tacos, risotto. Desserts: Cakes, fruit, biscuits, slices.

Note: Rough Edges does not have a fully equipped kitchen, however meals can be reheated. Using disposable containers is also recommended.

Support of Rough Edges during Covid

In addition to the usual monthly meal provision, St Mark’s community has got behind Roughies in creative ways during Covid. The first initiative in May 2020 was a shopping bag drive. The goal was to organise 50 Coles/Aldi/Woollies supermarket shopping bags full of non-perishable food for Rough Edges by 9 May 2020. Over three weeks the St Mark’s, Rough Edges charity drive raised 53 bags full of non-perishable food items from supermarkets around Sydney. Thank you to Woolworths for donating 1,580 food items, Bakers Delight for offering fresh bread items for upcoming events at Rough Edges and all at St Mark’s who donated or volunteered.

St Mark’s also arranged a May 2020 cash drive and raised $16,500. Thank you to all those people who generously donated in this way.

Then in October 2020 Rev Dr Michael Jensen, together with some parishioners, again supported Roughtober, and raised $18,575. This annual sleepout raises much needed funds to support the disadvantaged and marginalised, while challenging supporters to get out of their comfort zones in order to achieve this goal.

In October 2021 St Mark’s Youth participated in Roughtober. We are proud of our St Mark’s Youth members for stepping outside their comfort zone and demonstrating compassion in action for this important cause. Thanks to everyone who supported Roughtober, enabling us to raise more than $5,000. Click here for more details or to add your support Making a Difference | St Mark’s DP

If you would like to make a Tax-Deductible donation to Rough Edges, click here

Thank you for your generosity.

Dates for 2023

The dates when we will be providing food for Rough Edges in 2023 are shown below: