Food Assist answers growing need

FOOD Assist 3223 has expanded its opening hours to give residents accessing the service greater

flexibility as demand for food relief continues to grow.

The volunteer-run organisation, which has supported the community for more than a decade, helps hundreds of people across the 3223 and 3222 postcodes each week.

The service will now operate across two Wednesday sessions, from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4pm, with clients asked to nominate a preferred one-hour shopping timeslot to help volunteers prepare for each session.

President Leanne Meddings said rising living costs meant more people were turning to the service.

“The food [cost] has increased. The bills have increased,” she said. “People are in dire straits.”

She said some people worried the service operated on a “first in, best dressed” basis, but volunteers divide food supplies across each session to ensure everyone has equal access to available stock.

Clients who are unable to make their allocated timeslot can also attend the quieter hours of 3pm to 4pm if needed.

While the service is designed to supplement, rather than replace, a household’s grocery shop, volunteers aim to provide a consistent range of essential food items to help

individuals and families.

Food Assist 3223 expanded into the 3222 postcode in August last year, stepping in to support residents after the closure of the Drysdale Family Support Foodbank.

The food relief service continues to rely on the generosity of local community groups, businesses and individual donors to keep its shelves stocked.

“We are so fortunate to live in such a generous community,” Meddings said.

She recalled one local resident who donates about $300 worth of groceries each month.

“He does it every month. No acknowledgements. He just says ‘This is my contribution for the month’,” Meddings said.

Food Assist 3223 is at 9 Brown Street, Portarlington.