Funds for food relief
Baw Baw Food Relief co-ordinator Anne Pascoe was recently guest speaker at the Warragul Arthritis Self-Help group.
In recognition of the work done by food relief, the arthritis group presented Anne with a cheque As well as a cheque and many arthritis aides.
Anne told the group BBFR was a not-forprofit organisation set up to assist people experiencing financial difficulty by providing them with emergency/short term relief for themselves and their family. They provide food assistance with a large range of foods, hygiene products, drinks and pet food as well as a dropin centre and pastoral care.
To be a recipient you need to be a resident of Baw Baw Shire and be a holder of a healthcare/pensioner concession card.
You can make eight visits per year for food assistance. It costs recipients a $10 donation per visit for a trolley of food and personal goods.
“Baw Baw Food Relief provides food, friendship and practical support to those in need, making a better future for families in our community,” Anne said. “We treat each person seeking support in a non-judgemental manner, assisting them with opportunities for self-development.”
An opportunity shop and furniture store provides funds to restock the food relief shelves. The op-shop is stocked with clothes to suit the whole family. This includes school uniforms, men’s, ladies and children’s wear and household goods.
Anne said volunteers are the heart of the food relief and op shop services. One of the many benefits of being a volunteer is that it offers an outlet to give back to the community and provides life skills including cooking, cleaning and mending skills.
“It’s a place to come and have fun and laughter and to be part of an extended family. There are regular social get-togethers giving volunteers the opportunity to make new friends,” she said.
Volunteers are needed for driving, kitchen staff, marketing, reception or in the office.
The food bank relies on local businesses for their on-going support in providing fresh meat,
potatoes, eggs, apples, yogurt, pet food, drinks, bread and a variety of ready-made meals.
The outreach program is dependent on the newly acquired refrigerated van to enable the volunteer service to expand its reach in providing healthy, fresh food to the growing number of people in need or homeless in the area.
The pay it forward program is a great success. Participants buy a coffee and pay for someone else to have a coffee. At food relief, a member of the public can donate $10 and a recipient who is experiencing financial hardship will receive their groceries free of charge. A $50 donation will feed five families.
Baw Baw Food Relief is located in Pearse St, Warragul and is open Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm, the op shop is open 9am to 3pm weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.