Alex Dekker Named Young Melburnian of the Year 2024: 800,000 Meals Strong and Growing
At Alex Makes Meals, we believe in the transformative power of food: not just as a source of sustenance, but as a way to foster connection, stability, and hope. This belief lies at the heart of our work, and we are thrilled to share that our founder, Alex Dekker, has been named the 2024 Young Melburnian of the Year alongside Rebecca Scott CEO of STREAT and Melburnian of The Year 2024. This recognition from the City of Melbourne celebrates Alex’s leadership and the enduring impact of our mission to combat food insecurity in Melbourne.
But this moment is about more than an accolade. It’s a chance to reflect on the journey that has led us here—a journey that has now delivered 800,000 fresh, nutritious meals to people in need across Melbourne.
A Legacy of Action
Alex Dekker founded Alex Makes Meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a simple but profound goal: to ensure no one in our community goes hungry. What began as a kitchen-based operation cooking meals for frontline workers quickly grew into a large-scale food relief charity tackling Melbourne’s food insecurity crisis head-on.
Today, Alex Makes Meals provides 3,000 fresh meals every week, distributed through 40+ community partners to individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, and other challenges. Each meal is crafted with care, ensuring not just nutrition, but dignity for every recipient.
800,000 Meals and Counting
In late 2024, we reached an extraordinary milestone: 800,000 meals delivered to people experiencing food insecurity in Melbourne. This achievement speaks to the tireless efforts of our volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the strength of the partnerships we’ve cultivated with local charities.
It’s also a reflection of Alex’s leadership, which has guided us through both challenges and growth. As Alex often says, "Food is a universal need, but how we deliver it can change lives."
Why This Recognition Matters
Being named Young Melburnian of the Year is a testament to the impact of Alex Makes Meals on the Melbourne community. It underscores the growing awareness of food insecurity in Australia and the urgent need to address it.
This award shines a light on the importance of collaborative action. It’s not just about providing meals—it’s about working with community partners to ensure those meals reach the people who need them most. It’s about supporting families, stabilizing lives, and building a stronger Melbourne, one plate at a time.
The Road Ahead
With 2025 on the horizon, Alex Makes Meals is focused on scaling our efforts. Our goals include:
Increasing weekly meal production to meet the rising demand in Melbourne’s most disadvantaged communities.
Partnering with 15 new community organizations to expand our reach.
Continuing to innovate sustainable practices through our zero-waste kitchen model, which ensures every meal is produced with environmental responsibility in mind.
These initiatives are ambitious, but they are necessary. With 800,000 meals served, we’ve seen the difference fresh, nutritious food can make. Now, we’re determined to keep going.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We invite you to be part of this journey. Whether through a donation, volunteering, or spreading the word about our work, your support makes all the difference.
At Alex Makes Meals, every plate served represents more than food—it represents hope, stability, and the promise of a better tomorrow. Together, we can ensure that no one in Melbourne goes hungry.
Visit Alex Makes Meals to learn more about our mission and how you can help us continue this vital work.
