School’s big milk stock-up for SoupBus

THE SoupBus has received more than one month’s worth of milk supplies from a new supporter.

Miners Rest Primary School and Kindergarten’s community of 350 children and their families have collected and donated nearly 530 litres of long-life milk to the food relief service as part of a Rotary Club of Ballarat milk drive.

OnTrack Foundation director Craig Schepis started The SoupBus 15 years ago and was at the school’s assembly last Friday afternoon to thank students for their compassionate initiative and share the mission of the charity.

“With one bus, out five nights a week for an hour-and-a-half, we see about 65 people per night who don’t have anywhere to sleep, and are sleeping on the streets, or are really doing it tough, and they need our help because they can’t afford the simple things, like feeding their family,” he said.

“Since the middle of last year, we’ve gone from seeing 40 families to 157 families per week, and that’s not even at the bus, so we’re trying to divert them straight through to us during the day, and we pack them some food, and milk, to get them through the week.

“There’s much to do. It’s a big concern, however, it’s people like you who are making a difference. Thank you very much for everything you’ve done for us. I am extremely proud of you.”

Miners Rest Primary School and Kindergarten staff were inspired to give to the milk drive while attending a Rotary Club of Ballarat lunch.

“We decided to make a big effort, and asked the students to bring in litres of long-life milk to support some families and people in Ballarat who perhaps aren’t as lucky as we are, and are finding times a little bit tough,” said principal Kylie Nissen.

“There were big donations from everyone. I congratulate everyone, and I’m so very, very proud of the mindset that we have here at Miners Rest K-to-six.

“It’s lovely that we have beautiful school grounds and classrooms, but it’s also really important that we’re giving forward, and making a difference beyond our school gates.

“I know that we will have made a significant difference to our Ballarat community with our donation to The SoupBus.”