SALE Food Support Inc opened to the public for the first time on October 4 to help with food insecurity across Wellington Shire.
The registered charity is run by experienced volunteers, and their mission is “to ensure those who need food support the most will not go without”. The charity, which is well stocked, provides grocery items, frozen meals, fruit and vegetables, personal care items and baby care.
Sale Food Support Inc manager, Jan Lear said the organisation was about helping those who are facing financial hardships.
“They can come in and get some food from us. We’ve got frozen meals, and we fill up bags for them to take,” Ms Lear said.
“Sometimes we fill about four or five bags, it depends on what we’ve got. And because we’re just starting, we’re still getting things in. We endeavour to support those people, both individuals and families who are finding it increasingly difficult to provide food for their families and themselves.
“There’s a lot of homeless people around the Sale area. A lot. We’d do anything to help them out. If anyone wants a meal, we’re willing to heat it up in the microwave or we can tell them places to go to.
“You’ve got St Vinnies, you’ve got the Red Cross. There are places for them to go to get clothing, or places where they can get swags. We’re here to help them, or give them the names of places they can go to find help.
“If anyone can’t get here, we’re going to have a phone number, or they can ring me. I’ll be an emergency contact. They can ring us, we’ll get food for them, pop them in a car and come round to them, wherever they are.”
Assistant manager, Terry Fields, said they hoped the room could act as a community hub for the area. “There’s a great need for food charities,” Mr Fields said.
“Or if people want to have a chat, they can come in and we’ll make them tea or coffee, fill in a little bit of time. We’d like more volunteers to help with serving people and to be on-call.”
For a $10 donation to help run the room and order the food, those who need food support can be given a bag of groceries. They need to be living in Wellington Shire and hold a current pension/healthcare card or veteran card. This requirement covers both those on benefits and those in low-paid employment who are struggling to afford food, rent and other everyday expenses.
The charity is working on sourcing more food from different places to buy from and/or receive as donations. FoodBank, FareShare, Dickey Bill, Baker’s Delight and donations from the community are keeping the shelves stocked.
“Anyone who wants to help by donating fresh fruit and veg, or eggs, we’d really appreciate it,” Ms Lear said. “It would go on the shelf and be given to people.”
Sale Food Support Inc is located in 55-77 Raymond Street, Room 5 (the old high school), which is located between the Toy Library and The Wedge car park opposite The Matador Motel. Parking is available in front and behind the building.
Sale Food Support Inc is looking for volunteers to help out, as well as donations of cash and food. To contribute, or to request help from the organisation, call Ms Lear on 0421 605 461 or Mr Fields on 0438 477 491.
Sale Food Support Inc’s opening hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am-2pm, and Friday 9.30am-12.30pm.
