With two new supermarkets set to open their doors in Cobram and Yarrawonga in the coming months, Moira FoodShare is seeking additional volunteers to drive its two delivery vans.
“Lucky enough, we’ve got a beautiful brand-new Coles coming to Cobram, and a beautiful brand-new Aldi coming to Yarrawonga,” Moira FoodShare coordinator James Rouel said.
He said the two supermarkets had seen the value of the FoodShare program and decided to jump on board.
They have invited Moira FoodShare to collect rescue food from their sites five days a week.
“It’s just a matter of making sure that we’ve got the drivers and people in place to make sure that happens,” Mr Rouel said.
“A lot of our food is actually sourced through food rescue. It’s food that’s out of date or has broken packaging.”
He said the rescue food was perfectly fit for human consumption but would otherwise go to landfill.
A typical shift for a delivery driver starts around 8am and involves driving to donor sites across the community and picking up rescue food.
Back at the FoodShare warehouse on Cobram’s Karook St, the food is then weighed up, sorted and allocated to shelves, ready to assist those in need.
With up to 40 locals volunteering their time at the warehouse, Mr Rouel said it was a pretty social environment.
“It’s a really good way to get out and meet new people,” he said.
At the end of the day, he said, volunteering with the FoodShare came down to locals helping locals.
Anyone interested in lending a hand for a couple of hours a week will need a standard Victorian driver’s licence.
Find out more information about Moira FoodShare follow its Facebook page at tinyurl.com/45ex9zn9 or contact Mr Rouel on 0419 809 171.