RACV meals keep Feed Me Bellarine stocked

FEED Me Bellarine is one of the organisations to benefit from the generosity of the RACV’s emergency goods assist service, which recently hit a milestone of 100,000 meals delivered across the state.

The service, which started in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, has supported more 30 community organisations across Victoria.

It started with deliveries across Melbourne, with all meals prepared, packed and distributed from the RACV City Club kitchen.

As the demand for meals increased, the service expanded to meet the need of organisations in regional Victoria, including Feed Me Bellarine.

The Ocean Grove-based charity has received 7,000 meals from RACV, and Feed Me Bellarine founder Lana Purcell said the increase in local demand over the past year grew from the hundreds to the thousands.

“We’re creating 6,000 meals a week now and probably taking care of 10,000-plus individuals a week,” Ms Purcell said.

“Any kind of help we can get, especially with the ready-made RACV meals, makes a massive difference to us.

“It’s a boost and something our chefs don’t have to make.”

One Care Geelong is also among the organisations to receive the meals.

“By extending our emergency goods assist service to regional Victoria, we have been able to reach more vulnerable community members in need of nutritious meals,” RACV general manager of social impact and corporate communications Louise Steinfort said.

“The 100,000 meals that we’ve been able to deliver have helped to ease some of the stresses facing families and individuals during a year that has seen many Victorians seek additional support.”

The official 100,000th meal was delivered to Shepparton Foodshare.