FOODBANK Mount Gambier has felt the impact of high community demand for essential household items and has recorded an alarming jump in output last month.
Branch manager Lynne Neshoda said the facility tripled the amount of stock it distributed in March, with COVID-19 believed to be fuelling the surge in demand.
Ms Neshoda said the not-for-profit organisation had adopted a range of new services to provide essential household items to residents, particularly those self-isolating.
“We are working hard to stay open for the public and our service hub remains open and operating,” she said.
“A lot of people are in positions they have never faced before and if they need help we are here.
“We want to continue to provide food and essential items to the public and have adapted to allow that to happen.”
Along with a strict hygiene plan and social-distancing measures, Ms Neshoda said registered support agencies had been advised to encourage online ordering and to use Foodbank’s delivery services where possible.
Among the new initiatives for the Cave Road branch is a home-delivered hamper service.
Distributed from the Mount Gambier warehouse, the hampers include everyday staples and essential ingredients for meal preparation with fresh food and bread added by Foodbank at no cost.
“I think Foodbank just saw something needed to be done as many people are unable to get to the hub or to the grocery store to access food,” Ms Neshoda said.
“We tried to look at different ways we could get the food out which led to the idea of home-delivered food hampers.”
With small and large hampers available, Ms Neshoda said residents could register interest through participating agencies – including St Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army, Uniting Care, ac.care, Lifeline – as well as other community services in the region.
“It is a bit unknown how many will be distributed, but we are hoping to help as many people as possible,” she said.
“We have had a high amount of interest from agencies registering, but it is now a matter of letting the community know the service is there if they need it.
“It is affordable and great value for money for those in need or simply can not get out of the house.”
Ms Neshoda said Foodbank had recently received additional funding to help extend its community support.
“We do not know how long this will go for so any support would be appreciated,” she said.
“Even once COVID-19 is over, it may be a long time before people may be employed again and life goes back to normal.”
Ms Neshoda also praised Mount Gambier City and Grant District councils for their ongoing support, with City Council providing nine staff members to help at the branch on a rotating roster.
Council community well-being general manager Barbara Cernovskis said the local government body had been working hard to find solutions to community issue’s during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ms Cernovskis said council continued to review its community response to coronavirus through its Our City Our Response service hub.
“The council’s elected body has been really keen to work with Mount Gambier on how it can help during ongoing emerging issues,” Ms Cernovskis said.
“Council is in a great position to fill any gaps people find which can be seen through our involvement with for example Foodbank, Meals on Wheels and Spare Ya Change 4 Kids.
“Through being connected with the community, it became evident the volunteer-base was not enough, or restrictions imposed on the average volunteer age demographic, services could not be delivered.
“We have deployed our staff to provide our assistance and also engage with the schools to see whether there is anything kids and families need.”
Ms Cernovskis said a business survey was also available on council’s website for proprietors to complete in order to provide critical feedback to staff and elected members.
“We are doing everything we can to support the community and business sector,” she said.
“This survey will produce the snapshot picture of the business community so council can sit down, assess and set-up a recovery assistance plan for businesses and jobs.
“We do not know what it will look like, but need information to collate so our elected body can make informed and nimble responses.”
Ms Cernovskis encouraged community members to register emergency issues by visiting the service hub on council’s website.
“This is about all of us coming together to get through this together,” she said.
“We are refreshing the hub everyday to continue to keep the community informed.”
Information on Foodbank’s services can be accessed by contacting the Mount Gambier branch on 8723 0287.
The hub is open on Monday and Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm and Thursday 9am to 1pm and people can be referred through registered social service agencies and charity partners.
