Food bank for refugees

IN a bid to help Geelong’s refugee community, Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) is gathering donations to ensure struggling asylum-seeker individuals and families can put food on the table.

For its monthly donation to the foodbank – which is operated by the Wesley Asylum Seeker Welcome Place – AIRAR is calling on the community to provide support by contributing basic home supplies such as non-perishable food, toiletries and laundry/cleaning products.

The food bank was first established to support refugees on bridging visas without an income or welfare as well as individuals on Safe Enterprise or Temporary Protection visas unable to secure ongoing work or income support.

The initiative has also aided asylum-seeker individuals and families who have faced financial hardship as a result of ill-health, casual or unreliable work and unexpected expenses including relocation costs, legal fees, delayed wages, debt or family support.

AIRAR food bank convenor Fran Coker said that without donations, asylum-seekers living in such conditions cannot access basic supplies.

“Without social security or work, these people have no way of buying food except with community support. It is absolutely essential,” she said.

“The response from our local town has been very warm and people have been most generous.

“Food is a very basic need and along with other groups on the Surf Coast, we are doing everything we can to fill the gap.”

The food bank is open every Friday afternoon and evening, with refugees invited to pick up groceries and share a meal together.

Assistance is also provided to fill out forms and practice English.

Interested in donating? Please visit one of AIRAR’s collection points at Great Escape Books at 2/75 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet, or Seaside Seconds in the main shopping strip in Anglesea.

For more information or to find out how you can set up a collection point at your workplace/club, email AIRAR at [email protected].