Food drive gets underway

EVERYONE is encouraged to lend a hand, or some non-perishables, to the Bendigo Foodshare community food drive.

The charity initiative takes place twice a year, with the second drive launched last week, and is set to roll through to early December.

People are asked to donate non-perishable items or cash, which will assist flood recovery efforts and cost of living pressures.

Foodshare CEO Michelle Murphy said that with the onset of flooding, it’s important that people do their bit.

“Particularly for those people impacted by the floods, we know their needs are going to be great and for an extended period of time,” she said.

“If we can donate non-perishable items, items that have got a long shelf life, we’ll be able to have them on hand to get them out…when they need them.

“A lot of people are not sure how they can help so we see this as a really practical, easy opportunity that they can contribute and support our neighbours that are doing it tough.”

The previous food drive took place in June, during which more than 5000 kilograms of food was donated.

Items can be dropped off at Woolworths, Coles, IGA and ALDI outlets throughout Bendigo, while cash can be given via the Bendigo Foodshare website.

Kennington Village’s Woolworths outlet has rolled out their donation bins, and store manager Paul Becket-Thorpe said it’s a great regular initiative to support.

“There’s lots of talk around the cost-of-living pressures and I think it’s just good to have that partnership [with Bendigo Foodshare],” he said.

“We’ve got the bins in place. We’ve got the trolley. We’ve got the point of sale that goes with it. In general, the public are happy to put an item in the bins and they know it goes to a good cause.”