THE federal Coalition has pledged to help Feed Me address the cost-of-living crisis and build on its offering to the community if it wins the coming election.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Corangamite Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan announced a $3.5 million commitment to Feed Me to help build a new distribution centre.<\/p>\n
Upgrades would be made to the commercial kitchen and marketplace, while food relief services would be extended across the Surf Coast, Bellarine and Geelong.<\/p>\n
Mr Dunstan’s pledge is less than the $4 million committed to Feed Me by then-Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher two days ahead of the 2022 election.<\/p>\n
However, Feed Me will contribute a further $500,000 on top of the Liberals’ latest pledge towards the projects, which will assist the 4,000 local families using their services each week.<\/p>\n
Mr Dunstan said supporting Feed Me was a personal cause for him.<\/p>\n
“I entered politics because my mum couldn’t afford her power bills and groceries, too many people in our region are doing it tough and I am determined to help those struggling in our community.<\/p>\n
“People are telling me that they are worse off now than they were three years ago and increasing demand for Feed Me’s services are evidence of this.”<\/p>\n
During the past financial year, Feed Me distributed more than one million meals into the community.<\/p>\n
The organisation also saved more than 1 million kg of food from going into landfill.<\/p>\n
Feed Me chief executive officer Lana Purcell welcomed the commitment from the Liberals.<\/p>\n
“Our services are increasingly relied upon as a result of food insecurity rises due to cost-of-living pressures,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We are delighted that Darcy, and the Liberals have listened to our needs and will provide us this critical investment.<\/p>\n
“It [the funding] will benefit our whole organisation. At the moment we are working out of a shed that isn’t fit for purpose. Most likely it’ll go toward infrastructure to help us continue what we are doing in a greater capacity.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE federal Coalition has pledged to help Feed Me address the cost-of-living crisis and build on its offering to the community if it wins the coming election. Earlier this week, Corangamite Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan announced a $3.5 million commitment to Feed Me to help build a new distribution centre. Upgrades would be made to […]<\/p>\n