Reaching out with food

Adventist Development and Relief Agency
Kind-hearted. Selfless. Dedicated.

John Taylor saw a need for a food parcel service for local families and decided to do something positive about it.

John started helping 17 families in July last year, but the demand is high, and he is now helping up to 80 families a week.

"Our volunteers pick up our food supplies from food-bank Second Bite, and we purchase eggs and margarine from the local supermarkets," says John, who is a project manager for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

The agency is part of a global effort aimed at improving the wellbeing of people in several ways. These include sustainable food, disaster relief, community building and local support services, such as John's food parcels.

Before COVID-19 physical distancing was in place, John's volunteers would invite people in every Tuesday and serve hot drinks, sandwiches and homemade cakes.

At noon, the families collect their $10 food parcels, which include a basket of dry goods, fruit and vegetables, margarine and some frozen food. Currently the team are providing food parcels to over 100 families.

The volunteers also run an OP shop, where people can buy clothes, mostly for $1 an item.

"We have been told by many of our customers, that our service has been essential to them," says John.

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. Adventist Development Relief Agency will use its grant to install a cold room.

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