Bendigo Foodshare launches new delivery truck

BENDIGO Foodshare has publicly launched and taken delivery of a new refrigerated truck, which was funded by grants received after the 2022 floods.

Contributions came from the Bendigo Bank’s Flood Recovery Grants Program, with the bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation providing $75,000, while the bank also helped secure a further $25,000 from the Australian Lions Foundation. The City of Greater Bendigo also contributed $15,000.

Bendigo Foodshare chief executive officer Michelle Murphy said at the launch that the new truck had increased the charity’s ability to transport more food to areas in need, especially in times of disaster.

“The new truck is a much-needed addition to our operations,” Ms Murphy said. “Not only does it increase our vehicle fleet to four, allowing us to provide more deliveries to our partners, but it enables us to transport more food.

“The truck can carry six pallets of food, which is double the capacity of our other three vans.

“This means we can be much more efficient each time our volunteers take the truck out, transporting up to 3.5 tonnes of food at a time.”

Community Enterprise Foundation chief executive officer David Impey said supporting the increase in demand for food security services was still an issue for local affected communities recovering from floods.

“Following the devastating floods of 2022 the funding for the Bendigo Foodshare truck is part of $320,000 distributed for flood relief and recovery from Bendigo Bank’s philanthropic arm, the Community Enterprise Foundation,” Mr Impey said.

“The Bendigo Foodshare truck will make a difference to communities who are still recovering from the flooding.”

Australian Lions Foundation chair Tony Benbow OAM said: “We play an integral support to communities affected by natural disasters, and with the support of our Lions clubs in the local area we are proud to be supporting Bendigo Foodshare with funding the refrigerated truck.”

Greater Bendigo deputy mayor Matthew Evans said the city was pleased to have been able to contribute.

“The city runs a competitive community grants program that supports groups and individuals to undertake activities that have broad benefits and also contribute to achieving goals in our Council Plan,” Cr Evans said.

Ms Murphy said the truck had already clocked up 13,000 kilometres on the road, and was expected to travel more than 60,000 kilometres in its first year of use.