Surf Coast Secondary to continue supporting vulnerable families

Managers Michelle Povey, Izzy Fitzgerald and Andy Moorehouse from Torquay McDonald's handing over numerous Christmas hams to help vulnerable families enjoy this festive season. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

THE season of giving is set to continue indefinitely with Surf Coast Secondary College (SCSC) vowing to continue supporting local families.

During the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic SCSC began cooking for Surf Coast families in need as well as teaming up with local businesses to provide them with groceries each week.

Wellbeing coordinator Peter Raidme said the community donations in the lead-up to Christmas was fantastic, but the support cannot stop now.

“Torquay has over 100 families in need,” he said.

“People often assume everything is fine in Torquay, but the demographics have changed and we have a lot of families in need.”

As a wellbeing coordinator at SCSC, Mr Raidme says he gets insight into what is really going on amongst local families.

“I guess you realise that there are some people out there who really struggle and in general they are quite silent about it, but they are incredibly grateful for everything,” he said.

“Knowing that you are helping people who don’t necessarily put their hands up because it is hard for them to do so is an important part of what we do.”

Students had to stop cooking for families during the second Victorian lockdown however food collection continued throughout the year.

SCSC work in partnership with McDonalds, Coles, Woolworths and Peachs in Torquay who contributed to the community givers program each week.

“The community has been so generous in the first place, so it is nice to be able to give back,” Mr Raidme said.

Mr Raidme is calling on the continued support of the community into the new year.

Collection tubs will remain at Coles and Woolworths where a variety of things can be donated including cosmetics, hygiene, baby and pet supplies, as well as any non-perishables.

McDonalds and Peachs have committed to continuing to support SCSC as the program expands into the new year.

“We want to continue into the future because the need is not going to stop because COVID-19 stops there is an ongoing need for support in the community,” Mr Raidme said.

VCAL students will begin cooking for local families in term one of 2021.