Daniel Cook
Food-relief services are important services at all times, but especially so as Melbourne finds itself in the midst of its sixth COVID-induced lockdown.
The Thomastown Neighbourhood House has answered the call and set up a free food pantry at Thomastown library, as well as food relief Fridays.
The Friday sessions run weekly from 11am to noon in front of the library.
Thomastown Neighbourhood House manager Liz Skitch said they were running the program to alleviate the pain of financial hardship and fill an important community need.
“There are a lot of families and individuals in our local community who aren’t able to put three meals a day on the table,” she said.
” Our food relief efforts go a small way to helping local people in need to access some much needed relief.”
Ms Skitch said the group aimed to provide fresh, quality food to those who need it, especially as the pandemic stretches household budgets.
“So many people are struggling due to loss of income and this stretches across the community from the aged to young students, from large families to single mums. When money is short, people have no choice but to find ways to save money at the supermarket,” she said.
The community support for the TNH’s programs led to a spike in community donations of fresh food and support from local businesses.
“Essential items and food donations come in daily. We received a beautiful donation of $2000 from Bundoora Rotary and our local IGA Mercato … have been supporting the event with a generous discount each week,” Ms Skitch said.
