June 2021

Following the devastating storm event which adversely affected 85% of the Dandenong Ranges we had the great honour of hosting the Honourable Luke Donnellan, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers.

Minister Donnellan attended our temporary free food program HQ at Sassafras Primary School. The program was uprooted within hours from Olinda Hall as we chased power to continue offering the free food program to anyone in need. Our programs remained fully operational throughout the entire storm recovery period.

The Minister wanted to show his support for some of the organisations offering outreach for vulnerable community members that were impacted with a firsthand look at the mechanics of our programs and acknowledge the continuous workload of our volunteers.

Our little hills charity are the fortunate recipients to receive a Community Food Relief Fund grant through the Minister's portfolio.

Bravo to Sassafras Primary School Principal, Stacey Goodger for so generously opening the school to our program and community at a time of such great uncertainty.

July 2021

We actively engage with and share the love with a supply of apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes, greens, and anything vegan to support the incredible work that both Amaroo and Wild Paws Wildlife Shelters undertake right here in our own backyard. Nicola Rae and Nell Pedzic (pictured) make up the team at Amaroo and Wild Paws which rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife in the Dandenong Ranges. Supported by Emma Sullivan, one of Amaroo’s foster carers, these unfunded inspirational women fill the gap to care for our native wildlife.

It is such a joy for all of us to lend support in a very small way. In the spirit of zero waste, the circular movement of produce continues turning through to the greater benefit of our wildlife.

August 2021

It is hard to recall the time frames for the various lockdown restrictions we have come to live with as they all seamlessly roll into one. Throughout each and every lockdown period our volunteers have been on the front foot ensuring the free food program and each iteration of it remained open and accessible.

The rapid move towards securing personal protective equipment for all volunteers coupled with the necessary Essential Services Works status and permits meant we remained in a position of continuity for service provision.

Our distribution points became educational hubs as COVID-19 safe practice collateral dominated. Throughout, the free food program has worked tirelessly to find innovative means to constantly secure produce capacity.

For community members unable to collect produce, produce was delivered door-to-door. Our door-to-door deliveries became de facto welfare checks as the many in self-isolation became dependant on our volunteers as there only point of human contact.

Proudly, the free food program has operated despite the many challenges faced of securing a permanent space from which to operate.

None of which would be possible without the dedication of our community lead volunteers. The true heroes of the program’s success.

August to August

Outer East Foodshare Inc (OEF) is a local not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer board and infield team. They remain the conduit between food rescue organisations, and a number of local emergency food relief agencies (EFRA) within the Melbourne Outer East region.

OEF have been providing food to the Philanthropic Collective since August 2020 and since that time, together, we have seen the positive impact that our partnership has had on the lives of our community.

To date, approximately 21,000 kg of food has been provided to the free food program. This in turn translates into approximately 80,000 meals and counting. Specifically, this has been a vital food service which continues to provide much needed food relief and food security to individuals and families in need.

All of which has been made possible through collaboration and enduring dedication of the A-Class volunteer team leads of Dianne Luc and Patrick Sawyer. The team generously collect produce sources such as Foodbank, Oz Harvest, Secondbite, Fairshare, and local food producers and transport it to our distribution base at Olinda Hall.

September 2021

Our free food program hit September running with access to Foodbank Victoria on a fortnightly basis. The free food program has catapulted into a new phase of certainty with our very own Foodbank account.

This lifeline to continuity of the program brings much welcomed certainty shoring up a regular supply of non-perishable and fresh produce goods. The produce is shared across all three versions sustaining community care boxes with any extra excess produce shared with Tecoma Uniting Church free food pantry.

September 2021

What started as an idea by local residences in Healesville at the start of September quickly spread across three businesses supporting multiple organisations providing chef prepared meals.

The good folks of Healesville commenced a pay it forward campaign to pay for a community meal with the team from My Little Kitchen cooking up a storm. Before we knew it Japanese Mountain Retreat Mineral Springs and Spa in Montrose were so inspired by the pay it forward system, they too wanted to supply meals along with community hub relief regular, Lillie Giang from The Food Affectionist.

Burnham Beeches - The Piggery Café in Sherbrooke is a founding supporter of the Free Food Program since 2016. Seven days per week our free food program volunteers would collect and distribute produce. The quality of bread and pastries produced at the onsite bakery is of such a high standard that it remained a sustainable staple for children in school breakfast clubs, after school care programs and community members who would not be in a position to purchase.

The ongoing support made possible thanks to the insight and generosity of Shannon Bennett, all Piggery Café managers and staff.

Proserpina Bakehouse in Sassafras have lead the way since the first lockdown with freshly baked meals donated to the free food programs. Owners, Carolyn Deutsher and Gary Copper have continually donated freshly baked end of day meals, both vegan, vegetarian and meat to our most vulnerable within the community. Six days per week meals have been loving care packed and categorized for delivery.

Seasons at Cloudehill have also joined the efforts along with long time weekly support from Mountain Wholefoods - Mount Dandenong.

Having access to quality chef prepared meals made with love and care has made a world of difference to so many in our community.

October 2021

Throughout the summer months the free food program in conjunction with Olinda Community Pool support the community with free food produce while promoting healthy eating choices.

Olinda Pool and its staff provide a space outside the pool’s canteen. Pool staff and our free food program volunteers provide and top up offerings of chilled chopped fruit and vegetable platters throughout the day to the community. This has proved to be a highly successful and regarded program embraced by the hills.

The program also offers opportunity for the community to have access to loaves of bread and a range of products as they are available free of charge.