Willison, this week's Community Gem, says a variety of people of all ages visit the marae on Mondays - including families and individuals. However, individual males make up the highest proportion.
"They are always so grateful and clean up after themselves, do the dishes and mop the floors," she says.
As the number of people using the service increases, so does the number of volunteers.
There are five main groups of people who lead the cooking and running of the service every week to share the load on a roster basis.
But, says Willison, the service would not be a success without the support of her own hapu, Huria Trust.
So why does the marae open up for the homeless?
"It's all we can do," Willison says.
The idea of running He Rourou Aroha was to make a difference for the homeless of Tauranga.
"It's driven from inside... You look at yourself and think you've got so much so I wanted to help in some way."
Willison heard of a similar project at an Auckland marae where the homeless stayed on the marae.
However, the homeless cannot stay at Huria Marae because it is an active marae with many other commitments.
"This is our way of helping out," she says.
On the Monday we visit, her face lights up as the first people walk through the marae's gate. It's time to dish up the weekly meal - today it's pasta bake, vegetables and salad.
Yes. Sylvia Willison knows exactly what she would do if she won Lotto.
"I'd buy a piece of land and put a block of houses on it."
But, of course, the houses wouldn't be for Willison.
They'd be for homeless people.
"That's the dream... to see them [the homeless] off the streets with a roof over their heads."
Where do the volunteers come from?
-Abundant Life Church
-Life Zone Church
-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Otumoetai Ward
-The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
-Huria Trust
How can you help?
Donations of towels, personal toiletries and non-perishable food are welcomed. Call Huria Trust on 07 578 7838
