The spirit of giving: Noah Moore enjoys this time of year because it means he gets to give back.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
You’re never too young to start giving, and Noah Moore is a prime example.
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Since the age of seven, Noah has spent the lead-up to each Christmas collecting food and essentials, turning them into hampers to be distributed through the Salvation Army.
And it all started with a story in the newspaper.
“The first time I ever did the food hamper, I was looking through the newspaper and saw a picture of a homeless person, and I asked my nan how I could help, so that’s how it all started,” Noah said.
This year was no exception.
Now 15 years old, Noah has spent the past month-and-a-half collecting non-perishables and essential items from retailers in Shepparton.
As a result, dozens of boxes of items sit ready to be sorted and distributed into hampers for people in the community.
“This is the most donations we’ve ever had I think,” Noah said.
“It’s good to see the community come together to help people that need it.”
Noah’s work with the Salvation Army started as a once-off event each year when he made the hampers every Christmas.
Then, over time, he started volunteering more with the organisation.
Now, he can often be found helping out at events and spending time down at the centre sorting through donated items.
Teamwork: Noah Moore and Major Scott Smallacombe pack away the large collection of food into boxes ready to be distributed.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Salvation Army corps officer Major Scott Smallacombe said every year they’d been very grateful for Noah’s contributions, which go to those that need it the most.
“People build up to Christmas, and they are totally prepared for that, but then they’ve spent their money, and they don’t have any money afterwards,” Major Smallacombe said.
“We’re able to use this food in early January when people have kids at home and may have spent too much over Christmas.
“The energy Noah brings to pretty much anything he does is just incredible, and the way he has developed this rich network of relationships in the community really supports what we do.”
The Salvation Army takes donations anytime and welcomes the community to continue giving even after the Christmas period.
Any non-perishable items can be taken down to their office located at 99 Nixon St, Shepparton.
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