Fill a bag for your community

Accounting for the cost of food, transport and packaging, Mr Foran landed on an annual cost of $759.50 per bag, with the house open for 50 weeks of the year.

“That’s what we’re asking for to be able to fill a bag,” he said.

Between Echuca Workers, Shine Bright Op Shop, the Rotary Club of Echuca-Moama, and Latte Lane, seven bags have already been pledged this year.

“We've got 23 more hampers to fill. That's 23 more families we can support with this funding, and it’d be lovely if we could get that going as soon as possible,” Mr Foran said.

Recent data from Healthy Loddon Campaspe found food insecurity had nearly doubled in its catchment since 2019.

Around 150 meals leave the Crossenvale kitchen each month, supporting the growing number of people struggling with the cost of living by subsidising their food bill.

While the community house is glad to support those in need, Mr Foran hoped the new campaign would free up resources to address other important issues.

By covering the cost of the food relief program, more government and grant funding can be directed towards social inclusion, education and development activities.

“If we can fill all 30 bags, then we can run some really vibrant programs,” Mr Foran said.

“We can redeploy those funds to do stuff like tackle the loneliness epidemic that Australia is facing at the moment.”

The community house currently runs two craft groups, a gardening club and a public morning tea, alongside cooking and food handling classes each term.

Mr Foran thanked the businesses and groups that had already contributed to the campaign, and said he looked forward to hearing from more.

“It makes our life here 1000 times easier every time we get one of these bags filled,” he said.

For more information about the campaign and how to join, email crossenvale@gmail.com or phone Mr Foran on 0459 049 474

Anyone in need of food relief is welcome to visit Crossenvale Community House at 28 Boothman St, Echuca.