Pet food collection point open to region

A BALLARAT initiative aimed at fighting food insecurity has expanded with an additional pet food collection point established in Dereel.

After more than half a year in operation, the volunteer team behind Food From Kindness established their second spot for people to pick up pet food and supplies late last month.

One of the coordinators Samantha Elford is heading up the Golden Plains Shire-based outlet, at 161 Dereel-Rokewood Junction Road.

She said the move is about making their initiative more accessible.

“Dereel’s where I live and there’s a lot of people in need everywhere but I have seen a lot of people needing assistance in the area,” she said.

“At the moment, it’s just domestic cats and dogs that we’re providing for. I’ve been talking to someone about horses, cows, sheep, and pigs, if that’s a possibility because there’s a lot of those animals around here.

“We’ve had people from Rokewood, Dereel, Enfield and into Napoleons.

“The response has been really good, and the people who’ve come out have been very appreciative and saying they just don’t have the petrol money to come out to Sebastopol.”

Ms Elford said the new collection point currently services about 15 to 20 people each week.

Much of the pet food is supplied through the Animal Rescue Cooperative in Narre Warren.

Since January, Food From Kindness have donated food, clothing, cleaning items, and other amenities to people from their main collection point at the corner of Vale Street and Bedggood Court in Sebastopol.

Co-coordinator, Hannah Burton said the team is hoping to continue expanding their efforts.

“Any direction moving forward is a positive direction,” she said.

“We probably weren’t as mentally prepared to expand on what we already are as quickly as what’s happened but moving forward we’re trying to get as many big ongoing businesses and supermarkets onboard.

“Getting these businesses onboard is the biggest thing for us at the moment to expand and grow, and branch out with smaller pantries in other suburbs.”

To arrange to collect pet food from the Dereel location, message the Food From Kindness Facebook page or email [email protected].

Though not mandatory, a gold coin donation is encouraged for both pet foot and cat litter.