Food for all

The Crateful Group
Generous. Non-judgmental. Amazing.

When Liz Diab was volunteering at a community food pantry about 9 years ago, she was dismayed that people were turned away because they didn't have a welfare card to show proof of need.

So she started rescuing food to make hampers to ensure nobody falls through the cracks because they don't qualify for government support.

She funded this herself and she began providing generous hampers of fresh, nutritious food, often a treat to anybody in need.

It might be a family who are casual workers, between jobs and suddenly on one income or a person who has fled a domestic abuse; anybody going through hardship.

Not only has Liz supported the community through her hard work, but she has also saved more than 60 tonnes of food from landfill every year.

At first, the group operated as a pay-it-forward Facebook group, but is now a registered charity.

Liz continued the agreements with four supermarkets and two bakeries to collect food daily that has reached its shelf life and nearing the use-by date.

"Households can request a hamper once every three weeks, and all we ask is for a $3 contribution to help cover our running costs," Liz says.

The volunteers also deliver hampers and bread to a social housing estate in Riverwood and bread and other supplies to community groups and schools in need.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The Crateful Group will rent or buy a refrigerated van, so volunteers don't have to use their own vehicles.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here