Mascot relief centre is on the frontlines of fighting food shame
Sara*, an Eastlakes resident, came into our office asking for grocery support this month.
She has a four-month-old and a three-year-old and is struggling to put food on the table. The rising costs of living, including electricity bills, have left her depleted.
She just needed a few grocery items to get her through to the next week, as she’s struggling to buy even the basics such as Children’s Panadol. She’s too embarrassed to ask friends for a hand-up.
Food insecurity is a growing problem, especially this year.
It is caused by such things as:
? unexpected expenses;
? a change in working arrangements;
? illness or disability;
? increased housing costs; or
? changes in the number of people in the household.
At South Eastern Community Connect we’re passionate about providing both practical and holistic support to people who are doing it tough.
But our support doesn’t end at a food parcel.
It begins with meeting an immediate need – such as food – and continues into our many services, which include:
? Regular parenting courses
? Youth services such as weekly tutoring groups
? Flexible respite services for carers
? A Dementia Day Centre in Rushcutters Bay
? Supported playgroups
? Community transport services and social bus trips
? Subsidised fruit and vegetable boxes, and
? Casework support for families in crisis.
The People’s Pantry is making a difference.
The People’s Pantry at The SECC Community Hub in Mascot provides much-needed supplies for people such as Sara who are facing food insecurity in our community.
It was launched in response to a growing number of phone calls and visits to our offices requesting urgent food support in recent months.
The People’s Pantry is not just about providing for the community’s practical needs – but connecting vulnerable people with our other services.
We welcome donations of non-perishable goods, or financial gifts to support the community.
If collecting and delivering the food is too difficult, we are also receiving online donations at bit.ly/SECCdonations
Give us a call on (02) 7903 0607 if you’d like to discuss food donations further, or email us on [email protected].
Food drop-off points are:
The SECC Head Office
Shop 84, Eastlakes Shopping Centre (under Centre Management) – Evans Ave, Eastlakes
The SECC Community Hub
1007 Botany Rd, Mascot (opposite Mascot Memorial Park)
Bendigo Bank
222-226 Clovelly Rd, Coogee (Clovelly Community Bank Branch)
These are our specific needs right now:
We need:
- toys and stationery for children
- cereals (WeetBix and Cornflakes)
- pasta, pasta sauce, canned spaghetti
- long life full cream milk, canned veggies and cling wrap
Thank you so much for being willing to express your love for your community in such a practical way.
* Name has been changed.