Community
18 December, 2024
Students support food bank
TIMBOON P-12 School students have helped make a difference in the lead-up to Christmas to those less fortunate.
Students donated a collection of food items to be distributed to those in need through the Corangamite Food Bank.
Teacher Gemma Dennis said she was pleased with the result of the food drive and hopes to do it again next year.
“It was my idea; it was something I’d been wanting to do for a few years,” she said.
“We borrowed a couple of shopping trolleys from IGA and put one each in the junior and senior campuses.
“I had them there for about three weeks.”
Mrs Dennis said donations were made by students and staff.
“I’m really happy with how it went,” she said.
“It’s nice we could make a small contribution and help those in need.”
Previously known as the Camperdown and District Food Bank, Corangamite Food Bank is auspiced by the Camperdown and District Community House (CCH) to support members of the community find themselves in need of food relief.
CCH coordinator Emily Mercer said CCH is a registered agency with Food Bank Victoria and Western District Food Share and offers this service to the entire Corangamite Shire,” she said.
“We are the only service of this kind in Corangamite.
“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.”
Ms Mercer said Corangamite Food Bank operates similarly to many food banks and food shares across the state and country.
“We do not distribute food hampers from community house,” she said.
“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.
“These partners order and collect food hampers from our food bank as often as needed.
“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 service that may be of benefit of assistance.”
Corangamite Shire residents can access food bank and receive hampers from the following distribution partners:
Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop, contact Helen on 0422 320 773;
Simpson Community Centre, contact Debbie on 5594 3448;
Timboon and District Healthcare Service, contact Hayley on 5558 6000;
Corangamite Shire Council, contact the service navigation team on 5593 7100;
Camperdown Uniting Church, 5593 2323;
Camperdown Vinnies on 0437 726 654;
Camperdown Mental Health Service, contact Leanne on 5593 6000;
Terang Community Op Shop, contact 5592 1723; and
Terang Mortlake Vinnies, contact 0459 047 620.
Residents do not need to be a client of any of the services to collect a food hamper, according to Ms Mercer.
“You can walk off the street and ask for a hamper from any of the partners listed above, some you may need to call prior to arrange this,” she said.
Residents continue to feel the pinch of high interest rates with more hampers distributed last year than in 2022.
“In 2023 we packed and distributed 726 hampers across Corangamite, the equivalent of 18.15 tonne and $108,900 worth of food,” Ms Mercer said.
“This was an increase of 32 per cent from 2022 and 230 per cent from 2019.
“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.”
The Corangamite Food Bank does not currently receive any recurrent funding.
Ms Mercer said CCH 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 volunteer collectors and more.
“As the need in our community increases, so do the costs in providing and maintaining this service,” she said.
“Over the last two years we have seen the largest amount of local financial donations and support of the Corangamite Food Bank.”
As well as the recent donation from Timboon P-12 School, other support has included $3000 from the Simpson and District Lions Club, $1000 from the Terang Community Op Shop and $500 from Corangamite University of the Third Age.
Ms Mercer encouraged anyone in the community, who was able to, to support Corangamite Food Bank.
“The need for food relief continues to rise, and in order to sustain this service to meet this growing need, we need your help,” she said.
“If you are in a position to donate to the food bank service, please do so via direct deposit.
“All funding and donations secured for this service is spent purchasing non-perishable food items and essential non-food items, along with other essential products that sustain a healthy and functional service, such as pest-control and flat pack boxes for the food hampers.”
To make a deposit, the account details are:
Account: Camperdown and District Community House;
BSB: 633-000;
Account number: 206-344-970.
Use “Food Bank” in the transaction description.