Changes to city relief services

Ararat’s community response to COVID-19 stressors is transitioning. Ararat Rural City Council set up Ararat Community Relief Centre in March 2020, when mandates and stay-at-home orders for managing the virus made it challenging for vulnerable community members to access supplies and support.

In the third year of the pandemic, there are changes in Victoria’s COVID-19 isolation requirements and how food relief is being delivered.

The council’s chief executive Dr Tim Harrison said the State Government had encouraged a ‘sustainable approach’ to food relief from last month, connecting people to food relief providers and health services that could become ongoing support.

Dr Harrison said Ararat’s centre was one of the longest-running food relief centres in the region.

“Ararat Community Relief Centre has been a valuable community resource through the toughest periods of the pandemic,” he said.

“Spanning over 27 months, we have delivered one of the longest-running council-driven relief programs in the region, thanks to funding support from the Victorian government.

“During this time, Ararat Community Relief Centre staff assisted hundreds of residents over the phone by answering many questions, providing guidance and sound advice on the COVID-19 situation.

“We have delivered much-needed supplies and support to 216 of our most vulnerable community members.”

Dr Harison said council staff had gone ‘above and beyond’ to support people.

“This was one of the many ways council helped vulnerable residents get back on their feet amid the outbreak while keeping our community safe,” he said.

“Now, there are transitional arrangements in place when it comes to COVID-19 assistance.

“Support is still readily available; however, we are simply moving away from a council-run program to one that is centrally co-ordinated by the Victorian government and our health providers.”

Ararat Neighbourhood House is a not-for-profit, community organisation and an agency for Foodbank Victoria.

Manager Talwinder Kaur said the centre continued to provide food relief for about 15 people daily. Hampers, including fresh produce from local supermarkets, are distributed.

“People can’t afford a lot of items – especially because we are coming out of COVID and grocery prices are rising,” Ms Kaur said.

She welcomed donation of pantry items and other household items such as blankets, clothing or stationary.

Ms Kaur said people seeking assistance, or more information, could phone 5352 1551.

Ararat Emergency Relief is a group of community organisations that can assist with food relief and provide additional support; people can contact Ararat council on 5355 0200.

The Coronavirus Hotline remains available via 1800 675 398.