Community
13 December, 2024
Food Bank’s new name and new plans
THE Camperdown and District Food Bank has undergone a rebrand, aiming to stretch further to help residents across the Corangamite shire access food in times of stress.
The foodbank will now be known as the Corangamite Food Bank, but the food bank will continue to run in its current format under the new name.
Camperdown and District Community House (Community House) coordinator Emily Mercer said the organisation was responsible for managing the service, with volunteers working in all levels of operation.
“Community House is responsible for the management of the food bank service, with a small but very dedicated volunteer team supporting the entire operation, from unloading our deliveries to packing each food hamper,” she said.
“Approximately 85-90 per cent of all items are purchased by community house, and we also finance the other operational aspects, such as pest control and the purchase of flat pack boxes etc.
“We are fortunate to receive regular donations from Camperdown, Cobden and Timboon Ritchie’s IGA supermarkets, along with bulk pantry items from Western District Food Share.
“Non-perishable food hampers and essential non-food items, such as nappies and personal hygiene products, are also available.”
Ms Mercer said Corangamite Food Bank operates similarly to other food banks across Victoria and Australia and has been seeing an increase in access in recent years.
“In 2023 we packed and distributed 726 food hampers across Corangamite, the equivalent of 18.15 tonne and $108,900 worth of food,” she said,
“This was an increase of 32 per cent from 2022 and 230 per cent from 2019.
“Neighbourhood Houses Victoria have calculated that the community value we have provided to Corangamite via our food bank service in 2023 to be valued at $560,747.
“This year, we have already broken last year’s record, with 867 hampers being distributed between January and October.
“So even without the November and December statistics, we are already looking at a significant increase from previous years.”
With the increase of need in the community, Ms Mercer said she decided a rebrand would help increase awareness of the food bank and promote access.
Plans are also underway to secure distribution partners in the north of the Corangamite shire, which includes Derrinallum, Lismore and Skipton.
Current partners and food hamper access points include:
Manifold Place Community Health – contact on 5557 0900;
Corangamite Shire - contact the service navigation team on 5593 7100;
Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop – contact on 0422 320 773;
Camperdown Uniting Church – contact on 5593 2323;
Camperdown Vinnies – contact on 0437 726 654;
Camperdown Mental Health Service – contact on 5593 6000;
Terang Community Op Shop – contact on 5592 1723;
Terang Mortlake Vinnies – contact on 0459 047 620;
Timboon and District Healthcare Service – contact on 5558 6000; and
Simpson and District Community Centre – contact on 5594 3448.
“We partner with local community groups/organisations, service agencies, clubs, churches, and schools who are the access and distribution point for the community to this service,” Ms Mercer said.
“These partners order and collect food hampers from our food bank as often as needed. Some distributors collect many hampers at a time in order to have a number on hand at all times.
“This protects the privacy of each person accessing the service, as well as increasing the access to other wrap around services available either from the distribution partner or via referral from them to another service or support that may be of benefit or assistance.
“Each week our volunteers assist with the sorting and packing of our food orders from Food Bank Victoria, collect and sort donations from the supermarkets, and pack up food hampers ready for collection by our distribution partners.
“You do not have to be a client of these services in order to collect a food hamper - you can walk off the street and ask for a hamper from any of our partners, but there are some you may need to call prior to arrange this.”
With Christmas around the corner, Ms Mercer encoured residents to reach out for assistance if needed as food hampers will contain Christmas treats during the festive season.
For those looking to do some good this Christmas, Ms Mercer recommends donating to the Corangamite Food Bank.
“The Corangamite Food Bank does not currently receive any recurrent funding - Community House funds all expenses related to the operation of the food bank, including purchasing of food and essential non-food items, pest control, electricity, petrol reimbursements for our volunteer collectors, and more,” she said.
“There is no cost to our distribution partners, and the hampers are provided free of charge to anyone in the community who wishes to receive them.
“We apply for grants each year to support the service, and traditionally this has been the main way we have been able to continue.
“Unfortunately, this is a very insecure way and grant applications are never guaranteed to be successful.
“Luckily, we have been successful over recent years - however we have needed to expand the sources of financial support for the food bank service in order to make sure there is greater financial security going forward and the capacity to continue to meet increasing need for food relief on our community.”
For more information, or to donate to the Corangamite Food Bank, contact Ms Mercer on 5593 1403.
Read More: Camperdown