BOOSTING FOOD RELIEF FOR THE DANDENONG COMMUNITY

The Victorian Government is strengthening food relief services in Dandenong, ensuring healthy food reaches Victorians in need.

Local organisations Cornerstone and The Redeemed Christian Church of God Inc will share in more than $120,000 as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to ensuring all Victorians have access to fresh, healthy food.

The $5 million Community Food Relief Fund is part of the recently announced $11.3 million investment to boost food relief activities for vulnerable Victorians.

The package builds on $7.4 million already announced earlier this year to expand food relief operations and deliver more free and nutritious meals, which is creating 119 new food relief jobs.

Cornerstone will receive $68,950 to scale up its program by increasing its capacity for food storage and distribution, through the purchase of a van, cool room and freezer. Meanwhile The Redeemed Christian Church of God Inc will receive $60,000 to support its Helping Hand Project that is ensuring all members of the Dandenong community members can get access to the food they need.

These local project receiving funding are two of 93 organisations across the state that are being supported thanks to the Community Food Relief Fund.

The 93 projects will enable food relief organisations to provide an additional 2,000,000 meals and 180,000 food hampers to Victorians in need.

In addition to the Community Food Relief Fund, the Victorian Government is also investing in the network of food distribution hubs in regional areas, with $3.5 million to strengthen the link between suppliers and those experiencing food insecurity.

A Food Relief Taskforce is also being established to bring together key industry leaders and representatives from all tiers of government to ensure food supply and distribution is coordinated and targeted to areas most in need.

For more information on the Community Food Relief Fund and to see all recipients, please visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/community-inclusion-and-food-relief-coronavirus-covid-19.

Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams

“These grants willl make a real difference for local community members who are struggling to put food on the table.”

“We’re making sure our local food relief system is be able to support people when and where they need it.”