In the next six weeks, local businesses are making more than 3000 meals to be distributed through food relief services to individuals and families in need.
The funding was successfully awarded through the Victorian Government’s $6 million Food Relief Financial Reserve to maintain capacity in the community food relief system as Victoria emerged from COVID-19 restrictions.
“Since the pandemic everyone has struggled for various reasons and I have watched our businesses closing, opening, losing staff and incomes,” Crossenvale Community House co-ordinator Sheridan Clark said.
“In six weeks, we will have put back into the community $32,727 to purchase the meals and we will purchase staple foods for food relief support worth $13,000 that will be spent locally.
“The best thing about it is not only are we helping our businesses, but we are helping our food relief agencies who will stay open at Christmas break and experience an increase in people access support.
“We also providing yummy, nutritional meals to our most vulnerable families and individuals who may be struggling for a variety of reasons.”
Since December 1, Ms Clark and volunteers at Crossenvale have been busy organising bulk food orders, collection and delivery from local businesses, Blue Jam Café, Bean Roasted, High St Café, Westside Takeaway, Curry Club, Rima’s Kitchen, Fuzion, Hungry Goat, Moama Bakery, Pete’s Takeaway, Let’s Do Coffee and Two Tribes.
The other part of the funding will be used to buy pantry items to local food relief services for Christmas and food hampers.
“When I saw this grant, it was something I wanted to be part of, something I wanted to give back to our community,” Ms Clark said.
And if that isn’t keeping them busy enough, the House is also working on a Toy Drive, partnering with the Murray River Council which has offered a space to hold the distribution day.
“We will be handing out toys for kids aged zero to 12,” Ms Clark said.
“Parents who are needing support will be able to access these items without having to tell us any stories of why there are needing support.”
More details on the distribution day for the toy drive will be available on the Crossenvale Community House Facebook page.
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