Would you believe it if I told you that there are almost 1000 people in the 3223 region who need help feeding themselves and their families every single week?
I’ve lived in 3223 for the past five years and, until recently, I had no idea there was an organisation quietly supporting so many through food relief.
To discover this – and to realise how many of us remain unaware – was nothing short of astonishing.
It’s frightening to think that in a community as close-knit as ours, so many are struggling in silence.
And it’s precisely why the Portarlington Golf Club’s recent grant of $5000 through its Community Contributions Fund is so critical.
Seeing first-hand the impact of Food Assist 3223 – its volunteers and their tireless efforts – was truly eye-opening.
Many of us simply assume that access to food is a given – we take it completely for granted.
The volunteers at Food Assist 3223’s new centre are tireless in their efforts to help the community.
So to think the demand for more food for more individuals and families is growing almost too fast to accommodate is actually frightening.
“We help anyone and everyone that comes through these doors with no judgement of anyone’s situations or how they got there,” said Food Assist 3223 president Prue Drever as she gratefully accepted the grant.
After moving their premises earlier this year, Prue said the aim of the new location - at the corner of Brown and Fenwick streets – is to loosely replicate a supermarket layout, giving visitors dignity, choice and independence.
“We pride ourselves in the respect and independence we continue to provide to all those who need our support,” Prue said.
Rather than handing out pre-packed hampers, Food Assist 3223 gives clients ingredients they need to cook meals for themselves, allowing them to stay - or help become - self-sufficient.
Volunteers are always ready to share recipes, tips, and a friendly chat – small touches that make a big difference.
With the recent closure of the Drysdale Family Support Foodbank, Prue and her team view this as an opportunity to expand their services to not only 3223, but the 3222 community around Drysdale and Clifton Springs as well.
Sadly, this means the number of people needing help weekly will soar past 1000 in coming months.
But in better news, the organisation already has plenty of volunteers (and a waitlist).
And there are many other ways you can give back to make our community whole again.
“We would love and appreciate any donations in the form of money or supermarket shelf food, which can help save our community,” Prue said.
If donating isn’t possible, simply helping spread awareness of what Food Assist 3223 does - and shining a light on the hidden struggles within our community - is equally valuable.
In the past six financial years alone, the Portarlington Golf Club has given charitable support of more than $250,000 throughout the community.
In that time, the CCF component has become the biggest single source of community initiatives with almost $65,000 in such grants alone.
The CCF was established to support not-for-profit community or sporting organisations to make positive improvements that will, in turn, benefit the wider community.
Golf club chief executive Michael Phillips said there had again been great interest in the CCF process, with a total of $14,110 distributed this year, well in excess of the project’s originally advertised $12,000 scope.
“These donations have become incredibly important within our community, so we’re happy to extend again this year for projects we’ve previously announced,” Phillips said.
“But for those at Food Assist 3223, we’re all just incredibly grateful for the work Prue and her team do to ease the burden for so many in our society. This grant could scarcely be more important.”
We live in a paradise here on the Portarlington Peninsula.
Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy it — not just survive in it.
