Group feeding those in need soon to be homeless

A GEELONG not-for-profit that has fed people in need for the past 32 years is calling on the community to help find a new building that the organisation can call home.

The Outpost Inc, which operates rent free on a month-by-month lease from the Busport building on Transit Place, has been told by the City of Greater Geelong that the building is up for sale.

Established in 1990, the drop-in centre is the only non-referral after hours service in Geelong that for seven-days-a-week provides a safe space for people to get free hot meals, personal hygiene products, bedding, new and recycled clothes, as well connect with community and friends.

The not-for-profit, which has been searching for a suitable building for six months, has had community grant funding cuts due to its inability to find a new premises to operate from.

The city’s acting director of customer and corporate services Karen Olesnicky said the city had been working with Outpost to help them find a suitable new location, and that the support
was ongoing.

Now reliant on community donations, The Outpost Inc is hopeful members of the community can assist in finding a suitable place for the organisation to continue to provide its needed work.

“While we have talked to many people and organisations, we are hoping there are others in the community that might be able to help us find a suitable location in the CBD,” Outpost committee member Amy Flint said.

“We would love to hear from anyone in the community who has ideas or thinks they can help.”

Between 15 to 50 people attend the Outpost each night for a meal which is organised and prepared by a team of 50 volunteers operating under a Committee of Management.

In January, 630 people received a free dinner, up from 527 the month before, and Ms Flint said the numbers continue to rise.

“Some people are sleeping in cars and doorways; others aren’t homeless yet but are doing it tough.”

The Outpost can be contacted on [email protected]