As Moira FoodShare’s shelves have been going bare, food supplies are increasingly difficult to source and demand for its service continues to grow in all towns, the local food charity must take all opportunities that arise to them.
Moira FoodShare Coordinator James Rouel said with Coles Cobram and Aldi Yarrawonga recently opening their doors, Moira FoodShare has the chance to access 1000s of kilograms of unused food, but this is only through him finding more volunteer drivers.
“A lot of our food is actually sourced through food rescue. It’s food that’s out of date or has broken packaging. It is still perfectly fit for human consumption but would otherwise go to landfill,” Mr Rouel said.
“With these two new supermarket giants just around the corner seeing the value of the FoodShare program and deciding to jump on board, they have invited us to collect rescue food from their sites five days a week.
“It’s just a matter of making sure that we’ve got the drivers and people in place to make sure that happens.
“That’s why I am searching for new volunteers who fit the brief to jump on board as part of the team.
“What we are looking for from volunteer drivers is to be willing to drive a van; be willing to drive long distances (town to town); be willing to do collections alone at times; be able and willing to collect, lift and carry heavy donations and be available Monday to Friday mornings from 8.00am.
“A typical shift will involve driving to donor sites across the community and picking up rescue food then heading back to the FoodShare warehouse on Cobram’s Karook St for the food to then be weighed up, sorted and allocated to shelves, ready to assist those in need.
“Sometimes our collections can be big and hard work, so we ideally need some individuals who like to get in and get a job done.
“With up to 40 locals volunteering their time at the warehouse, it is also a pretty social environment.
“Unfortunately, all other volunteer roles are full at the moment, but I am always willing to grab your name and number and add to our waiting list if opportunities in our shop or warehouse become available.
“At the end of the day, volunteering with the FoodShare comes down to locals helping locals.”
If you know anyone who could help fill the brief as Moira FoodShare scale up their food rescue operations, please get in touch with James on 0419 809 171 or jrouel@mhacare.org.au.
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