Regular duties were briefly suspended for some Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill employees last week as they cheerfully swapped computers for kitchen utensils.

Putting aprons over their hi-vis mill attire, they spent four hours in the commercial kitchen of the Millicent RSL Hall assisting the efforts of Millicent Shares a Plate.

The six mill workers prepared 65 pasta meals using 100% donated items.

Rather than guide production at the billion-dollar plant, they were happy to merely chop vegetables and scrub pots and pans.

The 350 Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill employees are eligible for one paid day of leave every year to participate in volunteer work with the charity or community organisation of their choice.

Many of the company’s employees choose to spend this day out in the community as a team.

It was a coincidence the six kitchen volunteers were staff as the program is open to rank-and-rank employees.

Over the years, KCA employees have donated their time and expertise in Millicent to plant trees along Towers Road, build the mega-playground on Ridge Terrace and demolish the old football changerooms at McLaughlin Park.

They have also helped to beautify the Crater Lakes area in Mount Gambier.

KCA participant Ryan Turner said his company already supported charities and community groups with donations of cash and paper and tissue products.

“This volunteer program allows us to break out of the Kimberly-Clark bubble and support the community,” Mr Turner said.

“Before we volunteered for kitchen duty, we all completed a Foodsafe certificate online.

“Other groups from the Millicent Mill will be coming into the kitchen at the Millicent RSL Hall in the coming months.

“Some of the other volunteer activities by KCA employees in 2022 have been assisting with Foodbank and growing trees in mini-nurseries.

“Some Millicent Mill employees have undertaken CFS training and are becoming volunteer fire-fighters.”

Mr Turner and his five workmates will be back in the RSL kitchen for another four-hour stint before year’s end.

KCA has over 1000 employees across Australia and all are eligible for the paid volunteer leave.

Millicent Shares a Plate spokesperson Moira Neagle thanked the KCA contingent for their involvement and strong work ethic.

The Millicent Shares a Plate group was formed a year ago and provides dozens of free meals each week for those in need.

They may be collected each Thursday from 4pm at the Millicent RSL Hall.

This community outreach act is in addition to the 60 free meals which are provided each Monday night at the Millicent IGA by supermarket manager and New Heavan restaurant chef Sukhi Dhaliwal.

Millicent Shares a Plate comprises dozens of volunteers from Millicent and district.

Members of the Millicent Lions Club are also on the meal preparation roster.