Feed Me stalwart receives regional nod

THE Surf Coast Shire has revealed its first Local Legend of 2023, with Feed Me Surf Coast’s Brooke Murphy receiving the honour.

The food charity’s co-ordinator has been at the helm of Feed Me Surf Coast since it formed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, directing the outgoing flow of food the organisation has received from across the region at its Cylinders Drive base.

“I’m a big believer in the universe always having a plan, as long as you are prepared to listen and follow the signs,” Ms Murphy said.

“The universe did deliver a sign, and shortly after I was introduced to Lana Purcell, the founder of Feed Me Bellarine.

“I had been working at a homeless drop-in centre in Geelong that was closed down as a result of COVID-19 and it really affected me. I was at a loss wondering how the most vulnerable in our community would be supported during this unprecedented time.

“Feed Me Bellarine was already responding to the rolling disastrous effects as COVID-19 hit our shores, and many families on the Surf Coast were experiencing incredibly difficult times through job loss, children at home and uncertain future.

“Feed Me Surf Coast was quickly established as the second location to the already established ‘Feed Me’ charity.”

Feed Me Surf Coast volunteers continuously collect from 10 supermarkets every day, as well as restaurants, cafes, bakeries, wholesalers, growers, and farmers, obtaining more than 3000kg a week.

“We have 117 volunteer ‘feedsters’, as we call ourselves, plus Torquay Lions, Surf Coast Secondary College and Bellbrae Primary School students, along with young adults with disabilities and their carers,” Ms Murphy said.

“We load, unload, unpack, pack down, stack, reload and unload 600 to 700 crates a week.

“Put simply, we rescue gigantic amounts of food that would otherwise end up in landfill. We feed hundreds upon hundreds of families, we cover our expenses, and we are not funded by anyone.

“We have created a community within a community of multi-generational and multi-skilled, compassionate, intelligent, funny, sensitive, politically correct and terribly wayward, vibrant and shy, loud and quiet, flexible and firm, carefree and stern gang of ridiculous misfits doing amazing work.”

To donate to Feed Me’s efforts, head to feedme.org.au