Food charities battling on to keep supporting their communities
Charities are finding ingenious ways to adapt to social distancing rules so they can keep providing essential emergency food relief to people in need - while keeping everyone safe. Here’s what they are doing to deal with the crisis and how you can help.
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Amid the uncertainty and fear caused by the global pandemic, food charities are reinventing how they operate keep their communities nourished.
Here are just a few organisations battling on to keep feeding Melburnians.
You can help food charities across the state scrambling to help rebuild bushfire-affected communities and people losing their livelihoods due to coronavirus shutdowns by donating to Feed Victoria.
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CORNERSTONE CONTACT CENTRE
Cornerstone Contact Centre has been nourishing people’s stomachs and souls for almost 30 years – and it isn’t going to stop any time soon.
The Dandenong drop-in hub has adapted to social distancing rules by transforming its meals program into a takeaway service and advising people not to queue up early.
Chief executive Naomi Paterson predicted a “huge increase in demand” in coming weeks, as shutdowns caused Melburnians to lose their livelihoods at unprecedented rates.
She said it was tough to foster the sense of community people had come to rely on at Cornerstone, while keeping people at safe distances.
“We are acutely aware of the social and emotional impacts that the situation is having on people, particularly for people who were already isolated,” Ms Paterson said.
“I routinely phone people I know are struggling, to provide some comfort that we are looking out for them and that they are heard.”
You can support Cornerstone’s work by donating money online or by donating canned goods, disposable 750ml plastic containers and new, clean ‘green’ grocery bags.
COMBINED CHURCHES CARING MELTON
Combined Churches Caring Melton manager Denise Morris said the bushfires earlier in the year had already depleted pantry supplies and the charity had seen a drop in donations.
They had to cancel their Market Day fundraiser, which had been set for March 28.
“We have seen an influx of people over the past two weeks and are trying to keep up with food provisions,” she said.
“It’s very hard to keep food on the shelves.”
The charity desperately needs donations of staples such as pasta, pasta sauces, rice, tea and coffee.
While the charity was continuing its food relief services for the moment, Ms Morris said they had changed the way they operated to limit face-to-face interaction.
“We have already implemented measures including additional cleaning of our building and zero-contact service delivery to ensure the health and wellbeing of all of our volunteers, staff and clients is maintained,” she said.
The charity will also continue to offer budget education and counselling sessions, but the CCCM op shop will be closed until further notice.
You can donate to CCCM here.
DANDENONG RANGES EMERGENCY RELIEF SERVICE
They may be operating a little differently but Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service wants people to know they are still here for the community in these troubled times.
Chief executive Tania Bevan said they had altered the food pantry service to comply with social distancing rules.
“We used to let people go into the pantry and choose things for themselves but now when people come in our volunteers explain what is available and collect it for them to limit the number of people touching things,” she said.
The drop-in centre is temporarily only open for people experiencing homelessness.
Ms Bevan said they had seen a spike in people phoning in concerned about losing their jobs in the current climate.
If you would like to help the service continue its work, you can donate through its website.
“If people were planning to go to the supermarket and buy $20 of groceries for us, it is much safer for them and the people we help if they donate the money online,” Ms Bevan said.
“We don’t want people risking themselves by going to the supermarket and shopping if they don’t need to.”
ST MARY’S HOUSE OF WELCOME
St Mary’s House of Welcome is so determined to continue helping the most vulnerable people in the community they’ve completely redesigned their service.
To comply with social distancing rules gone are the dining services, replaced with takeaway meals, brown paper bag hampers along with laundry and food vouchers, chief executive Robina Bradley said.
The Fitzroy charity helps people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“We provided about 247 ‘episodes’ today – that includes our meals, shower services and outreach,” she said.
“We’re very careful with hygiene and protecting our staff.
“Even if we have to reinvent ourselves every day, we will be here.”
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While many people had been forced to tighten their belts in today’s climate, Ms Bradley said the charity had been overwhelmed by support from local businesses – such as donations of new clothes and vouchers for takeaway meals from a nearby Italian restaurant.
HELPING HANDS MISSION
Helping Hands Mission Community Pantries helps more than 2000 people a week and remain open with a few changes to way they are operating.
“We have had to close our dining room at Fullarton Road and the tea and coffee stations at our other stores. We are keeping all other services open with increased hygiene measures in place while we await further advice,” the charity said.
You can help food charities across the state scrambling to help rebuild bushfire-affected communities and supporting people losing their livelihoods due to coronavirus shutdowns by donating to Feed Victoria.