HUNDREDS of kilograms of fresh food will help the needy after being delivered to Echuca relief centres this week.
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Moama Bowling Club delivered a truckload of perishable food to Echuca Neighbourhood House and Echuca Foodbank on Monday after the major venue was forced to shut its doors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had a heap of food that we couldn't use and needed to be used, so we decided to split it between ENH and Echuca Foodbank,” club sales and marketing manager George Santos said.
Volunteers welcomed multiple cartons of eggs and milk, as well as cream, fruit and vegetables, sauces and fresh soups with open arms.
“I had to call in some extra volunteers to help us unpack and store it,” ENH manager Sarah Peake said.
“We are expecting an influx of people looking for food relief, so this will go a long way in providing them with that.
“We've already had people coming in who have been laid off their jobs in hospitality and not knowing what they're going to do.
“We thank the MBC so we're able to share this beautiful fresh food with the community.”
For Echuca Foodbank's Pauline Aitken, the special delivery came at an emotional time.
After more than 13 years at the helm, Pauline is calling it quits because of failing health.
Husband Jim said his 80-year-old wife had done more than her fair share for the community and it was time for her stop.
“She can't go on forever,” he said.
With Monday afternoon the last day Foodbank was open, the food donation came at the right time.
“We were running quite low on everything so this is wonderful,” Pauline said.
“This means a fair bit to us. We've been flat out. We've probably been getting 300 people a week.
“They are mainly after milk and bread. We think all the food will go on Monday.”
Pauline said she had never seen a situation as dire as the coronavirus pandemic.
“I've been through drought, floods and bushfires, but this is unlike anything I've ever seen,” she said.
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