After 59 days, 18 food services, and 1,400 meals cooked and served for those in need across the Eastern states, Dave, Cara and the girls are home.

This Welcome Home episode was recorded in person, a first for the three of us.

You'll hear Dave and Cara reflect on the trip: where their commitment to community first came from, how their expectations shifted over the two months, their appreciation for everyone who supported them along the way, how they held up as a family, and what they're taking from the experience now that they're back.

Dave and Cara speak openly about what they saw and who they met on the trip, and share some genuinely moving moments for both of them.

Phantom Screens https://phantomscreens.com.au/

Charcoal Kings https://www.charcoalkings.com.au/

Lane's BBQ https://www.lanesbbq.com.au

Just Tint It

Ampol Australia - Ampol Cash Fuel Card https://www.ampol.com.au/

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

Music by Matty Long Music

Mixed emotions for Dave and Cara as they start their final week on the road.

And two special BBQs to end the 8 week Smoke & Soul Project.

(01:00) A Low and Slow BBQ served on a beautiful day in Broken Hill

(12:45) Don from Feeding Friends

Feeding Friends https://www.facebook.com/feedingfriends2880

(19:30) Under shelter as the heaven's open

(26:17) Jack from Vinnies, Fred's Van

Vinnies, Fred's Van https://www.vinnies.org.au/sa/find-help/freds-van-meal-service

Phantom Screens https://phantomscreens.com.au/

Charcoal Kings https://www.charcoalkings.com.au/

Lane's BBQ https://www.lanesbbq.com.au

Just Tint It

Ampol Australia - Ampol Cash Fuel Card https://www.ampol.com.au/

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

A big thank you to those who have and those who continue to support the Smoke & Soul Project

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

For two months now, we've been travelling with Dave and Cara through the Eastern states, hearing each week from Dave and his charity partners about the work happening in these communities, and the impact the Smoke and Soul Project is having on the ground.

This week gave us a powerful reminder of why this project matters.

Dave met a man whose story moved him to tears, and he tells us it's an encounter he'll never forget.

Week 7 the Smoke & Soul Project visits Toowoomba in QLD, and Tamworth in NSW.

(01:13) Dave serves up a BBQ for those in need

(14:48) Katren and Damien from Toowoomba Homeless Outreach

Toowoomba Homeless Outreach https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567220425790

(23:20) A chilly start to the day

(35:54) Bharvin from The Beacon Truck

(42:17) Tamworth Reflection

The Beacon Truck https://holisticrecovery.com.au/beacon-truck-a-community-led-mobile-soup-kitchen/

Phantom Screens https://phantomscreens.com.au/

Charcoal Kings https://www.charcoalkings.com.au/

Lane's BBQ https://www.lanesbbq.com.au

Just Tint It

Ampol Australia - Ampol Cash Fuel Card https://www.ampol.com.au/

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

A big thank you to those who have and those who continue to support the Smoke & Soul Project

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

This week, Dave's cooking in Brisbane and Maryborough, Queensland.

He comes across a food service unlike anything else on the trip so far, and is confronted with the stark realities of people living on the streets.

(00:56) Dave serves up a special meal for a special food service

(11:47) Melissa from Micah Projects

Micah Projects https://www.micahprojects.org.au/

(16:00) A warm and sunny welcome in Maryborough

(19:45) Sheryl from St Paul's Anglican Church

St Paul's Anglican Church, Maryborough, Queensland

https://www.facebook.com/StPaulChristChurch/

Phantom Screens https://phantomscreens.com.au/

Charcoal Kings https://www.charcoalkings.com.au/

Lane's BBQ https://www.lanesbbq.com.au

Just Tint It

Ampol Australia - Ampol Cash Fuel Card https://www.ampol.com.au/

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

A big thank you to those who have and those who continue to support the Smoke & Soul Project

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

Dave shares this week's stories from the road as they head to Ballina and Tweed Heads in NSW, and Coolangatta in QLD.

You'll hear from Sharna, Team Leader at Vinnies - Fred's Van in Tweed Heads and Damien from Phantom Screens in Sponsor Spotlight as he tells us why he got behind Dave and the Smoke & Soul Project.

(00:38) Arriving in Ballina

Vinnies - Mary's Place https://www.vinnies.org.au

(13:24) Damien from Phantom Screens

Phantom Screens https://phantomscreens.com.au/

(16:28) Breakfast Service

(21:55) Sharna, Team Leader, Vinnies - Fred's Place, Tweed Heads

Vinnies - Fred's Place https://www.vinnies.org.au

Tel: (07) 5536 1906

Email: [email protected]

UPCOMING

• Brisbane – Tuesday 21 July
• Maryborough – Friday 24 July
• Toowoomba – Monday 27 July
• Broken Hill – Sunday 2 August
• Port Augusta – Wednesday 5 August
• Port Pirie – Saturday 8 August

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

Welcome to Week 4 of the Smoke and Soul Project, where Dave and the family are on the road to Dubbo, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour.

After settling into a rhythm over the first three weeks, this week threw up a few challenges.

(00:48) Saturday service

(16:00) Kristine from HopeStreet Baptist Care, Dubbo

(22:42) Tuesday service

Tel: 5804 7350

Website: https://baptistcare.org.au/hopestreet/locations/dubbo/

(28:15) Friday service

(35:25) Anna from Vinnies - Pete's Place, Coffs Harbour

Tel: 0438 931 201

Email: [email protected]

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ

Information Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZqwqvwRjA

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

Week 3 and it's been another wet week on the road!

Dave & Cara cooked and served in Wagga Wagga, NSW and Canberra ACT, with Vinnies being their local charity partner in both towns.

To date the Smoke & Soul Project has delivered just under 700 meals to people sleeping rough and to people in need.

One takeaway from the first three weeks, is that in each town, each charity partner is seeing an increased demand for their services. In some towns, the demand is doubling every year.

(02:07) Sunday cook up and service

(09:37) Shannan from Vinnies Riverina

Tel: 13 18 12

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinniesriverina/

(27:01) Wednesday lunch with Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn

Tel: 13 18 12

Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn https://www.vinnies.org.au/act-surrounds

• Adelaide - Saturday 13 June
• Hamilton - Wednesday 17 June
• Mount Gambier - Friday 19 June
• Bendigo - Monday 22 June
• Albury - Thursday 25 June
• Wagga Wagga - Sunday 28 June
• Canberra - Wednesday 1 July
• Dubbo - Saturday 4 July
• Dubbo - Tuesday 7 July
• Coffs Harbour - Friday 10 July
• Ballina - Monday 13 July
• Tweed Heads - Thursday 16 July
• Coolangatta Beach - Friday 17 July
• Brisbane - Tuesday 21 July
• Maryborough - Friday 24 July
• Toowoomba - Monday 27 July
• Tamworth - Friday 31 July
• Broken Hill - Sunday 2 August
• Port Augusta - Wednesday 5 August
• Port Pirie - Saturday 8 August

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ

Information Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZqwqvwRjA

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

Week 2 of the Smoke & Soul Project heads to Bendigo and Albury.

Hear from Dave, Cara and their local charity partners as they cook and connect.

(01:15) Dave gives an insight into the similarities and differences between locations

(10:10) Matt from MADCOW

MADCOW https://www.madcow.org.au/

(19:13) Cooking and connecting in the heart of town + the planning before food service

(30:48) John from The Carevan Foundation

Carevan https://www.carevan.com.au/

WEEK 1

• Adelaide – Saturday 13 June
• Hamilton – Wednesday 17 June
• Mount Gambier – Friday 19 June

WEEK 2

• Bendigo – Monday 22 June
• Albury – Thursday 25 June

WEEK 3

• Wagga Wagga – Sunday 28 June
• Canberra – Wednesday 1 July

WEEK 4

• Dubbo – Saturday 4 July
• Tamworth – Tuesday 7 July
• Coffs Harbour – Friday 10 July

WEEK 5

• Ballina – Monday 13 July
• Tweed Heads – Thursday 16 July
• Coolangatta Beach – Friday 17 July

WEEK 6

• Brisbane – Tuesday 21 July
• Maryborough – Friday 24 July

WEEK 7

• Toowoomba – Monday 27 July

WEEK 8

• Broken Hill – Sunday 2 August
• Port Augusta – Wednesday 5 August
• Port Pirie – Saturday 8 August

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

A big thank you to those who have, and those who continue to support the Smoke & Soul Project.

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

Week 2 of the Smoke & Soul Project sees Cara and Dave cooking and connecting in Bendigo and Albury.

Hear from Dave, Cara and their local charity partners.

(01:16) Dave cooks and connects

(10:10) Matt from MADCOW

MADCOW make a difference, change our world https://www.madcow.org.au/

(19:14) Dave gives us an insight into what it takes to prep and deliver each food service

(30:48) John from the Carevan Foundation

Carevan Foundation https://www.carevan.com.au/

• Adelaide – Saturday 13 June
• Hamilton – Wednesday 17 June
• Mount Gambier – Friday 19 June
• Bendigo – Monday 22 June
• Albury – Thursday 25 June
• Wagga Wagga – Sunday 28 June
• Canberra – Wednesday 1 July
• Dubbo – Saturday 4 July
• Tamworth – Tuesday 7 July
• Coffs Harbour – Friday 10 July
• Ballina – Monday 13 July
• Tweed Heads – Thursday 16 July
• Coolangatta Beach – Friday 17 July
• Brisbane – Tuesday 21 July
• Maryborough – Friday 24 July
• Toowoomba – Monday 27 July
• Broken Hill – Sunday 2 August
• Port Augusta – Wednesday 5 August
• Port Pirie – Saturday 8 August

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davemeadowsbbq/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DMBBQ/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mk5OPS9io

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music

On Saturday, 13th June, Dave Meadows fires up his BBQ for the first of 19 cooks across 19 towns, launching the Smoke & Soul Project: a 57 day, 7,000 km journey to feed people in need right across Australia.

In this episode, Dave and his wife Cara share the story behind the project. They talk about how it came to life, the months of planning that went into it, and what they're hoping to achieve as they hit the road with their two daughters in tow.

We also get into the gear. Dave breaks down exactly what cookers he's bringing along and how he's tackling the logistics of BBQ on the road at scale.

Over the eight weeks ahead, we'll be bringing you stories from the road as Dave and Cara cook alongside, and shine a light on, the local charities doing this vital work week in, week out across the country.

• Adelaide - Saturday 13 June
• Hamilton - Wednesday 17 June
• Mount Gambier - Friday 19 June
• Bendigo - Monday 22 June
• Albury - Thursday 25 June
• Wagga Wagga - Sunday 28 June
• Canberra - Wednesday 1 July
• Dubbo - Saturday 4 July
• Tamworth - Tuesday 7 July
• Coffs Harbour - Friday 10 July
• Ballina - Monday 13 July
• Tweed Heads - Thursday 16 July
• Coolangatta Beach - Friday 17 July
• Brisbane - Tuesday 21 July
• Maryborough - Friday 24 July
• Toowoomba - Monday 27 July
• Broken Hill - Sunday 2 August
• Port Augusta - Wednesday 5 August
• Port Pirie - Saturday 8 August

Website - https://www.davemeadowsbbq.com/smokeandsoul

Instagram - /davemeadowsbbq

Facebook - /DMBBQ

Information Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZqwqvwRjA

GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/1b248ad58

Music by Matty Long Music