Volunteers pivot for food relief

WHEN Phil Waters felt a need to regularly contribute to his community in a different capacity, he found a role with The Ballarat Foundation.

Becoming a volunteer mentor for the L2P Learner Driver Program two years ago, he supports Ballarat youths working to gain 120 hours of practice before their driving test, where otherwise they may not have had the opportunity.

“It’s rewarding seeing a young kid achieve their goal of driving,” he said. “Everyone should contribute to their community in some way.”

During National Volunteer Week last Thursday, Mr Waters and his L2P vehicle were able to continue giving back, but in a new “COVID appropriate” way, collecting and distributing food to residents in need due to the pandemic’s impact.

In partnership with Ballarat Community Health, the City of Ballarat and Foodbank, the Ballarat Foundation’s youth program manager, Stacey Oliver said 121 food parcels were being distributed to schools and families last Thursday, via the Ballarat Library, with the transport support of L2P mentors and cars.

“A number of schools, through their wellbeing coordinators, have identified families that could benefit from some food relief at this time, right across Ballarat,” she said.

“There’s been an increased need for food relief as a result of the pandemic, so we’re just trying to provide some additional support.

“There was some Feed Ballarat grant funding allocated by the Foundation to Ballarat Community Health, which they were unable to fulfil because of social distancing requirements, so we were able to redirect that into this project.”

The Ballarat Foundation’s volunteer coordinator, Jessica Frost-Camilleri said it felt great to be making a “meaningful difference” within such a challenging environment, while diverting the skills and passions of community minded volunteers.