A new community initiative is filling the bellies and souls of Mount Gambier’s less privileged.

Confession Coffee House has started hosting the Olive Jean Soul Kitchen on the last Friday of each month.

Confession co-owner Don Pratt said the soul kitchen was open to anyone in the community “doing it tough or not”.

“We encourage people from any background, socially or economically, to come down and mingle with other members of the community they maybe otherwise would not,” he said.

“By taking away the need for money we hope to remove any barriers this creates.

“It’s about connecting our community and opening our eyes to just who is out there while enjoying a hot meal or just a coffee.”

Mr Pratt said those visiting the kitchen paid what they could afford, with a sealed box on the counter for payments or donations.

“You can pay through the till as well and should you wish to pay more we definitely will not say no as the idea also is that all proceeds from the night go directly towards funding the next event,” he said.

“If this tally exceeds the cost of the event money will be donated to other organisations in the community doing great things.”

Mr Pratt said kitchen’s name was a personal tribute to a special member of his family.

“Olive Jean was my mum, she passed away 15 years ago this week, this is something that fits with everything she was about, she was never going to be a wealthy woman as she gave everything away to anyone that needed it more than her,” he said.

“We loved her of course and we wish she could have seen Confession come to life so instead we do this in her name as I know she would have expected nothing less of me.”

Mr Pratt said Ray White Mount Gambier had supported the event as a naming sponsor with staff assisting in waiting duties on the night.

“We encourage other businesses to come on board and help us create a community that cares and have their team be a part of making it work,” he said.

The next soul kitchen event will be held on October 29.