Did you know that in the Geelong region an estimated 717,883 meals are provided annually by the food assistance system, supporting those who are experiencing food insecurity? This equates to almost 2,000 meals a day.
Rescuing surplus, quality food that would otherwise go to waste, FareShare is decreasing food insecurity in our region through the provision of free, healthy, ready-made meals to those experiencing disadvantage within our community.
With a team of 900 regular volunteers, FareShare cooks around 5,500 free meals a day for Victorian charities. One of the organisations who receives meals weekly is the Geelong Food Relief Centre (GFRC).
Ross Stephens, GFRC Chairman believes having access to fresh and nutritious meals has longer-lasting results for their clients.
“We offer people a choice of three FareShare meals at the Centre. Many of our clients don’t have access to cooking facilities or lack skills to prepare their own meals at home, so receiving cooked FareShare meals means they can eat good food that improves health and energy.”
With thanks to your donations, a $10,000 grant has enabled FareShare to install a 250 litre self-stirring steam kettle. This has allowed the organisation to cook larger quantities of donated surplus food into soups and sauces that accompany casseroles, pasta dishes and other hearty meals and in turn, provide these meals to those in our community experiencing food insecurity.