Foodlink – Locals Helping Locals By Jenna Crawford
Food insecurity in Australia is a very real concern, but fortunately, thanks to the excellent work done by Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Foodlink, people in our community should not go hungry. During the 1970s, the parishioners of the combined Anglesea and Aireys Inlet churches formed a ‘floating committee’ to provide soup and casseroles for those in need.
Seconds. During COVID, we saw more people volunteering their time. The services are not available from late December until early February. However, Christmas hampers are provided for those who have accessed Foodlink throughout the year.
The group has gone from strength-tostrength since those early days, and now operates as Foodlink under the auspice of the Anglesea Community House. Foodlink provides emergency food relief for those requiring assistance in Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Moggs Creek areas. The recipients range from single parents who are struggling, victims of domestic violence, and people with ongoing illnesses, to families suffering hardship due to the loss of income caused by redundancies, COVID or unforeseen debts, or simply people who are homeless. Referrals come from many different sources, including medical centres, schools, kindergartens, churches, social workers and word-of-mouth. People report to the Community House, which refers them to the Foodlink Assessor Lorna Botham, for a confidential interview.
Lorna Botham, local Foodlink Assessor
scheduled for the packing and delivery of the parcels. As well as delivering parcels, the volunteers can be a ‘listening ear’ for those in need. There are also two people scheduled for the preparation of emergency parcels, which are available from the Community House, and Seaside
None of the work done by Foodlink would be possible without the generosity of people in the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet communities, who have contributed in good faith: including individuals, businesses and organisations. We are all in this together and no-one wants to see people going without basic essentials. If you wish to donate non-perishable food, place it in the trolley outside IGA, or if you know someone who is in need, please contact the Anglesea Community House on 5263 2116.
Once a fortnight, Foodlink recipients receive parcels that include nonperishable foodstuff, vouchers and products for personal and household cleaning and hygiene. They also provide for people who have gluten or lactose-free dietary needs. Vouchers included are for fruit and vegetables from Anglesea Fruitz and for meat from Stabbs (when it is open). After every quarter (six fortnightly parcels) individual circumstances are reviewed and needs assessed. There are 12 volunteers at Foodlink, and each fortnight two volunteers are NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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