By KATH GANNAWAY
A CAN of soup, a box of cereal …. a cake mix. Just one extra item in the shopping trolley each week will help keep the shelves stocked at Healesville InterChurch Care Inc. (HICCI).
Sheree Laumen who manages HICCI’s emergency relief program says that would put food on the table for struggling families and individuals in Healesville and Yarra Glen over winter.
For the first time in two years HICCI is running a Winter Food Campaign as established food supplies dwindle and demand grows.
“We need some help” Ms Laumen said. “In last couple of years we’ve been able to keep the stock up but this year we’ve not been able to get things such as soup and other items from the Food Bank. So we’re hoping the community will come on board a bit,” she said.
The Mail reported two weeks ago on the rising demand on welfare organisations across the valley as people on a low income struggle to pay increasing utility, rent and other costs of living.
Ms Laumen said then that for many families, food was the only ‘optional’ expense after the non-negotiable bills were paid.
“There is just less and less money for food and what we’re saying to people is simply ‘would you like to bring somebody some comfort this winter’ … it’s as simple as buying one extra item when you go shopping,” she said.
Soup is a winter favourite, but any non-perishable food items will help ease the burden on HICCI and on those in need.
Collection bins are at IGA in Healesville, the Combined Churches Opportunity Shop in Yarra Glen and at the HICCI office next to the Memorial Hall in Healesville.
