MHA Care Yarrawonga Foodshare co-organiser Robin Harwood and co-ordinator Lee Powell at the road entrance to their new premises in Hargrave Court.
The ever-reliable MHA Care Foodshare service officially opened their new premises in the Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre (YMCLC) last week, much to the delight of the volunteers.
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Now situated in the old neighbourhood house, with side access from Hargrave Court, Foodshare assists people in need by donating a substantial food parcel of approximately one week of food made up from whatever food commodities are available at the time.
MHA Care FoodShare Yarrawonga co-ordinator Lee Powell and co-organiser Robin Harwood are ecstatic with their new premises and welcome anybody who is suffering and in need of assistance with groceries to come and see them.
“We are now open Monday to Friday from 1pm – 3pm but Lee and myself are always on the phone and can deliver hampers to those in dire need,” Mr Harwood said.
“The old kitchen of the neighbourhood house is now a storeroom and our little ‘shopfront’ has all of our canned goods as well as a fridge with dairy, fruit and vegetable produce and a freezer for bread.
“We were originally concerned how everything would fit in but it fits perfectly. We get a delivery once a week but stock may vary from time to time.
“It is more streamlined with every bit of space used. It is now also more accessible to the public as they can come up the driveway to the door and collect what they need.
“That is the beauty of Foodshare, there are so many items that the supermarkets will not sell because it has been dinted etc but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the food itself so we receive it and pass it on to those who need.”
“We are non-judgemental to those who come to use the service and we are happy to be here to help,” Mr Powell added.
“It is important that we are more discreet as well as some people are embarrassed to come and ask for this type of help.
“Numbers have increased dramatically, both during the pandemic and now since we have moved to our new location as I think we are more accessible here.
“Myself and Robin have also done and continue to do deliveries for those who are unable to leave the house due to illness.
“We have an incredible team of volunteers who turn up week in and week out to help out and we couldn’t do it without them.
MHA Foodshare volunteers in their new quarters at the old Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House now known as Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre.
“Because so many people come into the old neighbourhood house, the services really complement each other.
“People can come through the YMCLC and straight through to us or through the side access in Hargrave court. We are very happy with our new premises and want people to know we are here to help.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Executive Officer Julie-Anne Clarke welcomed the MHA Care Foodshare to the YMCLC premises and was excited to have another service under the one roof.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome the MHA Care Foodshare into our premises. We are continually seeking to improve services, and this is a great one to partner with,” Ms Clarke said.
“The Foodshare is an essential community service to which we are proud to assist. It is like a little supermarket in there.
“It has been great to be able to connect and to assist people requiring assistance in a great number of ways.
“Everyone in need, needs to know all these services are here.
“The Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre is really becoming the one stop shop for assistance.
“On day one of Foodshare moving into the centre, we had a lady present for help with some Centrelink services.
“Within two hours as a result of a wraparound service, she had left with assistance from a number of Centrelink services, had spoken to our contact at St Vincent de Pauls and had received some clothes vouchers from them as well as speaking with Lee and being given a hamper as well as other food items.
“We are proud to be able to work together and provide a wrap around service to those people in need in the community.”
MHA Care Foodshare Yarrawonga co-ordinator Lee Powell, YMCLC Executive Officer Julie-Anne Clarke, MHA Care Chair Bernie McKenzie and Foodshare organiser Robin Harwood at the client entrance to the new premises.
MHA Care Chairperson Bernie McKenzie reiterated Ms Clarke’s comments and said that the relocation of the program to a quieter area will be very beneficial for the community.
“The Foodshare program is something we have always been very proud of and we are very excited about our new venture of partnership with YMCLC,” Ms McKenzie said.
“Our new location is great for the community as it opens avenues to the options of assistance for residents.
“This is a service where we have always been able to offer back to the community and we know how important this service is.
“Foodshare is under known in the community and the service they provide so we would like to get the message out there more.
“We are very grateful for the efforts of the Foodshare volunteers and we look forward to the future.”
If you are suffering and needing assistance with groceries, food vouchers and emergency food hampers can be accessed through the Yarrawonga shopfront at 1 Hargrave Court or by phoning 0419 809 171.
