FOOD BANK REPORT

At a meeting on Tuesday 20 July of the Food Bank Committee, it is becoming unsustainable to keep the Food Bank operating as it is. This is due to our main fruit and vegetable supplier having to move soon from the Footscray market, which very soon we will have to pick up the fruit and vegs ourselves.

During winter, we can get away without cool store and freezer for foods storage. As the summer approaching, the issue of foods safety and handing will be the problem. Last summer we were inspected by the food inspector and we said that we will rectify the problem, this might not be possible this summer.

These are the issues:

1. A Van is needed to collect Fruit and Vegs as well as Food Bank in Summerville.
2. A cool store or a large fridge is needed to store Fruit, Vegs and foods from the foodbank that require refrigeration.
3. A Freezer is needed to store frozen foods from Foodbank.
4. A certified food handling person is needed to supervise foods distribution.
5. A suitable building for distribution and storing foods is needed and must comply to council regulation.

The cost for resolving these issues would be around $15,000.00. We can apply for funding, but there are others 50 or more charities organisation within the Brimbank area that are competing with us for funding. Our monthly collection has reduced to around $500.00. Meanwhile, the Food Bank will continue as is - Thursday only 10am – 12.00 noon and 3.30pm to 4.30 pm until approx. until the end of August / September. It will then revert back to the 1st Friday of the month only at 2pm. This is until such time as a suitable building is available and more volunteers found. We are most grateful to the volunteers who will assist in keeping the Food Bank operating.

The other alternative which we can provide help to those in need of our parish and surrounding is the St Vincent de Paul Conference, when formed in this Parish, will then assist the community with urgent food vouchers and other urgent financial needs. Special collections will also help SVDP in their work in this area.

Please give us your opinions, ideas, suggestions or comments by letters or email or telephone parish office.