Nourishing Futures: Melbourne Leos & Lions Rally for Eat Up Australia

Written by Zackery Tung – President, Leo Club of Melbourne Next Gen. 

The Leo Club and Lions Club of Melbourne Next Gen proudly partnered with Eat Up Australia to host a vibrant community sandwich-making event, uniting volunteers in a shared mission to ensure no child goes hungry at school.

Eat Up Australia is a remarkable charity that provides free lunches to disadvantaged students nationwide, and it was our privilege to stand behind their vision of nourishing children and empowering learning.

We were especially honoured to welcome Lyndon Galea, founder of Eat Up Australia, who shared his moving story and big-hearted aspirations for the future.

His words fuelled the energy in the room, as more than 130 volunteers, including Lions and Leos, came together to prepare over 3,000 cheese sandwiches in just over an hour, knowing each one would help a child focus and learn.

In addition to this, our Leo Club of Melbourne Next Gen also made a heartfelt monetary contribution.

Earlier this year, our Leos volunteered at the Ironman 70.3 International Triathlon, an opportunity that not only showcased their dedication to community service but also raised AUD $1,000, which we unanimously decided to donate entirely to Eat Up Australia.

This gesture reflected our deep commitment in supporting this cause.

The afternoon was alive with laughter, encouragement, and a powerful spirit of camaraderie – showcasing exactly what happens when compassion meets action.

Looking ahead, our Leo Club of Melbourne Next Gen, in collaboration with District 201V1-4, is gearing up to host the Victoria State Leo Summit on 22 March 2026, where we will lead the State’s Biggest Leo Service Project in partnership with Eat Up Australia.

We will be inviting Leos, Lions, and members of the public from across Victoria to join in making thousands more sandwiches – aiming for an incredible 300-500 volunteers to witness “Leos in Action” and amplify the impact on children’s lives.

Together, we continue to prove that when service-minded people unite, we can tackle hunger, strengthen communities, and give every child a fair chance to succeed.

Check out the club’s Eat Up Service Day video here.