A raft of people in need across the Bellarine will have a merrier Christmas thanks to the Portarlington Golf Club. PGC chief executive Michael Phillips and functions co-ordinator Ashleigh Livermore went shopping last week to restock the dwindling supplies of Feed Me Bellarine, the community charity that feeds thousands across the Bellarine, Surfcoast and Geelong areas.

More than $1500 was raised from the combination of profits from Covid mask sales and recent members’ Christmas function raffles at the club.

“So we took that cash and did our bit to make sure that as few people as possible go without this Christmas,” Phillips said.

“Feed Me Bellarine does genuinely amazing work to keep people fed, much of it stemming from the generosity of those on the peninsula.

“So it’s only fair that we, as a membership and as a community club, do our bit to support their incredible drive and passion that puts a smile on the faces of so many.”

Feed Me Bellarine founders Lana Purcell and Anthony Woodbury were overwhelmed by the generosity of the club and its members, whom they said had made a genuine difference this festive season.

“I don’t think anyone can understand what this means to us,” Woodbury said.

“Unfortunately through the Christmas period, donations slow down substantially and this will really help us do what we do.”
And that is plenty.

Using donations of cash, tinned food and other food saved from becoming restaurant wastage, Feed Me Bellarine churns out approximately 8000 meals per week.

Since its inception in 2019, the Ocean Grove-based operation has remarkably provided more than a quarter of a million meals for those in need with its slogan “no questions and no agendas” helping make it a much-needed refuge for the vulnerable in our region.

If you can’t donate directly to www.feedmebellarine.com.au, you can always volunteer your time, or visit FMB’s “Wasted Market” at 24 Sinclair St in Ocean Grove to buy your fruit and vegetables, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Portarlington GC chief executive Michael Phillips delivers some of the $1500 worth of food to Feed Me Bellarine.

Anthony Woodbury and Lana Purcell take delight in receiving the PGC delivery.