FOOD Assist 3223 has expanded its opening hours to give residents accessing the service greater<\/p>\n
flexibility as demand for food relief continues to grow.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
President Leanne Meddings said rising living costs meant more people were turning to the service.<\/p>\n
“The food [cost] has increased. The bills have increased,” she said. “People are in dire straits.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Clients who are unable to make their allocated timeslot can also attend the quieter hours of 3pm to 4pm if needed.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
individuals and families.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The food relief service continues to rely on the generosity of local community groups, businesses and individual donors to keep its shelves stocked.<\/p>\n
“We are so fortunate to live in such a generous community,” Meddings said.<\/p>\n
She recalled one local resident who donates about $300 worth of groceries each month.<\/p>\n
“He does it every month. No acknowledgements. He just says ‘This is my contribution for the month’,” Meddings said.<\/p>\n
Food Assist 3223 is at 9 Brown Street, Portarlington.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n