Open day for Torquay Food Aid

Torquay Food Aid - including volunteers Dee, Lois, Jan and Lois - have been feeding those in need for 25 years. During their Open Day on March 20, they’re inviting the community to come see what they do.

For 25 years, Torquay Food Aid (TFA) have been providing food for Surf Coast residents in need, and on March 20 they’re inviting the community to come along to their open day.

Torquay Food Aid volunteer Lois Gill has been working with the local charity for 16 years and said the open day was
an opportunity for them to showcase what they do and how.

“We continue to come across people who don’t even know that we exist. It’s our 25th birthday and people who’ve lived here for 25 years don’t know about us,” Mrs Gill said.

“We are totally financially supported by local donations and always appreciate people’s interest in helping us. Now we want to show them what they are helping.

“The main purpose is to educate people about our existence and then when they hear about someone in need, they can tell them about us.”

Mrs Gill said the charity aims to provide aid to those within the community struggling to make ends meet.

“We’re not necessarily trying to attract young surfer guys (we won’t knock them back), we’re hoping to reach people like a
young mum whose husband may’ve left and has no cash for a few weeks.”

Mrs Gill said they’ll open their doors from 10am until 11.30am for morning tea and to give people an opportunity to see deliveries in action from SecondBite, and Bakers Delight.

“Most people have heard about SecondBite on the news but wouldn’t know they’re making deliveries to us right here in Torquay,” she said.

“The boxes of fruit and vegies and the bread will be set up ready to go for collection later that day. We couldn’t run without the support of the community so want to show them what it is they’re supporting.

“Barwon Health also provided us with these excellent shelves to store everything on. Come and see what your community is doing, for the community.”

Mrs Gill said TFA embodies the motto ‘help or be helped’ and was looking forward to highlighting their services to
the greater community.

Torquay Food Aid is located at the rear of Barwon Health, 100 Surfcoast Highway Torquay (enter through the carport at the rear of the doctor’s carpark).

To make a monetary donation the details are as follows: BSB: 633 108, ACCOUNT: 1561 44321.