Pie Drive back for a second year as winter settles in

MIDWINTER is a good time for serving up hot meals, and a partnership between a local Country Women’s Association branch and an Essendon bakery is helping to battle the cold.

The CWA Bacchus Marsh Day Branch is running its second official Pie Drive with Tony’s Pies, which began last week and runs until Sunday 20 July.

Branch secretary Kaz Morce said money raised through the drive was distributed among local community groups and causes, with Scouts and hot meals for the homeless among last year’s beneficiaries.

“We had it last year, and we’re having it this year because we enjoyed it,” she said.

“But it’s more about trying to get the community behind us.

“We’ve really been hit hard since COVID shut us down, and we’re just trying to get back into the community and say we’re up and running, we’re back, come and support us.

“We were doing so well before COVID…but it all sort of shut us down and the people really haven’t come back.

“It’s more about the profile than the money.

“We had rave reviews last year that the pies were fantastic, they were delicious, and we thought let’s give it a go again – it’s the perfect time of year.

“They’re a good price and they are really delicious; they freeze well and there’s a range of options – vegetarian, sweet and savoury.”

Ms Morce said the Tony’s Pies offerings are an easy, inexpensive and filling meal “for those nights where you’re rushing the kids from school pick-up to sports or other after-school activities and looking for an easy meal, or maybe it’s just been one of those days.”

The link to order is on the branch’s Facebook page.

Ms Morce said orders will be delivered to the branch tearooms behind the shire offices in Halletts Way on 23 July, with customers advised of when to collect them.