MIDLAND Meals, a community initiative serving free meals to people in need in the Midland, Ellenbrook and Bassendean communities, is holding their op shop for a day fundraiser for a second year this weekend.

On Sunday, November 10 the Midland town hall will transform into the Midland Meals op shop, selling second-hand clothes, toys and accessories pulled from Midland Meals donation boxes, with all proceeds from the day going back into the running of Midland Meals.

Coordinator Dianne Pullman said last year’s event was so successful, the City of Swan requested they run it again.

“It’s an amazing event,” she said.

“It raises awareness of the homelessness problem in the wider community, raises money for supplies and equipment for us to use and it’s an opportunity for people to feel like they are making a difference.”

Ms Pullman said attitudes around homelessness had changed even since she started volunteering with Midland Meals.

“By making people more aware we’re opening their eyes to homelessness beyond the stereotypes and stigmas,” she said.

Part of a 150-person team, Ms Pullman said each of Midland Meals’ three locations fed around 80 people per day, with the Midland location being open 24 hours per day, every day of the year.

The organisation is entirely volunteer-run, and she said the volunteers at Midland Meals reflected both the empathy and diversity of the surrounding communities.

“We have everyone from retired people to high school kids volunteer with us,” she said.

“If I ask why they want to do it, the answer is nearly always the same: because you see how you’re impacting someone’s life and making a difference for them.

“I say it’s like a tonic for mental health too; even on those days when it’s a struggle to get here, once you’ve seen the gratitude and the joy that comes from being able to help people doing it tough, it’s always worth it.”

The op shop will be open for one day only and Ms Pullman said it would include some great Christmas bargains for those wanting to get on top of their shopping while also contributing to a good cause.

The shop will be cash-only and open from 10am to 3.30pm.