Linking up for needy
GREATER SHEPPARTON ROTARY BRANCHES UNITE TO OFFER $10K TO FOOD LINK
Several Greater Shepparton Rotary branches have teamed up to donate $10,000 to Food Link.
Mooroopna Rotary president Vicki Scott said that now the immediate need for food delivery and groceries had been met, restaurant meal deliveries would become more important for vulnerable members of the Greater Shepparton community.
“We also thought there would be a requirement for preprepared meals to be taken around to houses and families,” she said.
“Our club did a call-out and we’ve had clubs from within this region, but also outside of our region (contribute).”
Ms Scott said they chose to donate to Food Link because of the work the charity had done for families and local business owners throughout the pandemic.
Food Link founder Amy De Paola said the donation from Rotary meant they could continue to provide meals for vulnerable people in the community.
“I think a lot of people have lost work and haven’t had much money, so it’ll be nice to support them with a quality restaurant meal,” she said.
“We’ve also found that delivery makes people feel like they’re cared for by the community.”
Ms Scott witnessed Food Link’s positive influence in her own community last year, which contributed to the decision to donate to the charity.
“I saw first hand the impact it had at a local level,” she said.
“It’s really important that we can provide financial support which is what they need to actually get this
initiative up and running again,” Ms Scott said.
Established when the coronavirus pandemic first hit last year, Food Link pays business owners in Greater Shepparton to provide meals for locals doing it tough.
Since starting, Food Link has raised $135,000 and delivered more than 12,000 meals.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LOST WORK AND HAVEN’T HAD MUCH MONEY, SO IT’LL BE NICE TO SUPPORT THEM WITH A QUALITY RESTAURANT MEAL. — AMY DE PAOLA