Community
29 November, 2024
Lions, SWH helping those in need
THE Camperdown Lions Club is helping to provide food hampers to those in need through deliveries to South West Healthcare’s Camperdown Community Health Centre.
Lion Marilyn Bourke, who makes the deliveries with husband Alex, said the service began with the Camperdown and District Community House dropping off hampers.
“They were doing it themselves, and they just didn’t have enough staff, so they asked the Lions Club if we could help,” she said.
“Because Alex had the ute, he said it was a job we could do, and we do it every week.
“We usually do it on a Wednesday – we load it up onto the trolleys, take them in and they help us unload and they distribute it to those in need.”
Mr Bourke said the pair have been making the deliveries for six months, and were more than happy to provide the assistance.
“Marilyn and I have been in Lions for 35 years, and that’s what we do,” he said.
“We just volunteer.
“We live in a very lovely town, and I think if everybody can pitch in and help, I think it would be more lovely.”
Camperdown Community Health manager Lauren Patterson said the initiative aimed to assist in providing access to nutritious food for those in need.
“Anyone can access the hampers, with out-of-town clients encouraged to ring and check we have them available prior to collection as we’ve seen a marked increase in the need for them across the last 12 months,” she said.
“It’s been proven that healthy eating can have a significant impact on a person’s health and wellbeing, while also being a vital protective measure against many chronic diseases and we believe the ability for people to access nutritious food should not be impacted by financial pressures.”
Mrs Bourke said it was wonderful to be able to assist those in need through the delivery of the hampers.
“It’s what the Lions are here for – to help the community,” she said.
“If we can’t do it, somebody else will.
“We really feel good about it.
“Not everybody can do it because they’ve got things on or they don’t have the space in their cars.”
Mrs Patterson said South West Healthcare is pleased to be able to partner with Camperdown Community House, and Foodbank – with Rotary Club volunteers also involved - for the last 10 years assisting in the distribution of food hampers to many residents of Corangamite Shire.
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