Some 250kg of rice and pasta has made its way through the Mooroopna office of Cardamone Real Estate.
While a real estate office might seem like an odd place for shelves full of food, it’s all for a good cause.
This 250kg of food will provide up to 2000 meals for families and people doing it tough this winter.
Cardamone office manager Colleen Sutton was the one to follow through on the idea, looking to continue the work of her mother in her own way.
“My mother passed away in April, and she got FoodShare up and going in Cobram,” she said.
Her mother, Camilla Blackley, worked with FoodShare for many years to get the service established in Cobram, where it now serves more than 3500 people.
“We went to their (FoodShare) dinner in Shepparton, and from there got in touch with Kate (Smith) to see how we could support FoodShare here in Shepparton,” Ms Sutton said.
“She came in and met with us, and said they really needed pasta and rice, and we decided to take that on.”
With the help of Cardamone’s Tamara Richards, Ella Rose and Ange Damien, the drive was established, a goal was set and they were off.
Immediately, the initiative received support from many angles, highlighting the strength of the community.
“A lot of trades we use frequently (have donated a lot), and one is doing weekly donations.”
Elite Events Party Hire went above and beyond, donating 26kg of rice and 18kg of pasta.
While the big donations are always appreciated, every little bit helps.
If you can donate even one packet of pasta, it will help put food on somebody’s table.
“Pasta and rice are an easy essential that people need at the moment. It’s an easy pantry essential that not everyone has access to, and in a way, it’s easy to donate,” Ms Richards said.
Cardamone has already amassed a spectacular 365kg of goods, smashing its original goal of 250kg out of the park within the first week — but it’s not stopping yet.
“Our originally goal was 250, which would do around 500 (family) meals. Our new goal is 500kg (by the end of August).”
This would double the amount of meals able to be provided to those in need.
“We’re also doing a bit of a giveaway, so everyone who donates 1kg-plus will go into a draw to win a dinner voucher at a restaurant of their choice,” Ms Richards said.
If you are in a position to donate, drop in and visit the team at the Mooroopna office at 94-100 McLennan St, Mooroopna (Shop 1).