One Meal feeding people in need

Today, Roger Gray and Michael Mead visited the facilities of One Meal Northern Beaches in Brookvale. $1,000 of the money collected from Rotary Balgowlah Flood relief appeal held at Stockland Balgowlah was given to OneMeal, since demand has notably increased due to the recent flooding on the Northern Beaches.

From the OneMeal Website

We met the Kim Williams who runs the 100 percent volunteer-based food relief charity that has a delivery program providing fresh fruit and veggie hampers, pre-cooked hot or frozen meals, meat, bread pantry staples and personal care packs to people referred by local service agencies and community agencies. One Meal also offer a free community dinner on at Gilbert Park, Manly on Sunday evenings and Beverly Job Park, Narraweena on Thursday afternoons.

Packed bags- Ready for delivery

Kim Williams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen meals

When we visited, all of the people working at the Brookvale facility  arrive each day at 7am (including 2 high school students from St Luke’s Grammar School before class) and assemble and pack the daily requirements. Kim also told that many other food support charities such as Foodbank, Meals on Wheels were closed during Covid lockdowns however One Meal stayed open.

Over 700 volunteers are enabling One Meal to function efficiently, including a number of university students who have delivery runs driving their own cars.

 

Once the packing is done the truck is loaded.

Kim explained how the program meets a unique need by working closely with local services to assess where targeted support is critically needed, and to directly reach those who may otherwise “fall through the cracks”.

The organisations respond to caseworker referrals and especially those who would otherwise not access services due to challenges like restricted mobility, mental health including anxiety (e.g., agoraphobia), challenging family situations (incl. DV fears), physical limitations, isolation, communication/language/culture barriers, etc.

 

Much of the food supplied is donated by major retailers or manufacturers – Woolworths, Coles, Harris Farm, Sanitarium, plus many local Northern Beaches restaurants and food outlets.

Dry Good store

OneMeal interacts with 16+ agencies on the Beaches include Mission Australia, Community Care Northern Beaches, PCYC, Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter, Women & Children First, Bridge Housing, Link Housing, Women’s Housing, Burdekin Association, Tibetan Society, RSL Life Care, APAC, Catholic Care, Taldumande Youth Service, Naremburn Family Crisis Centre, and many others.

 

The essential and valued  work that Kim and all the volunteers at One Meal contribute to many  people of the Northern Beaches who require assistance and food delivery - at no charge has already been recognised by the Rotary Club of Manly - a Pride of Workmanship trophy was recently awarded.