Dig deep for those in need

by Bonnie Collings
As the holiday season approaches, Baw Baw Food Relief is encouraging the community to "feed the need" and donate to its Christmas food drive.
Rather than producing hampers as in previous years, this year BBFR is asking for individual donations of items from its Christmas wish list.
Christmas food drive co-ordinator Jan Davidson said BBFR was conscious of the current financial climate and the impact purchasing an entire hamper could have on a family's budget.
"To put a hamper together like we have done in the past has cost in excess of $60," Jan said. "From the start of this financial year up to October, we've had 200 new families that have come in. We see what the financial climate is out there, we know that it's hard, with mortgages and other financial stress to spend that kind of money."
The intention of this year's Christmas food drive is to encourage any donations, big or small.
"This year we're asking for individual items so people can donate as much or as little as they want to," Jan said. "There's purple donation bins at the Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in Warragul and Drouin which people can utilise. Our wish list of items we'd like to receive can be found on the donation bins."
As the cost of living continues to increase, BBFR has seen an increase in community members seeking support from the service. Between July and October, BBFR helped to feed more than 4500 people - 1000 more people compared to the same period last year.
As Christmas approaches, Jan said she expected to see more recipients than last year.
"We know based on pervious years that we get more people coming in prior to Christmas," she said. "They might be trying to purchase gifts for their children or they may have had large bills come in around this time. Last year we had 600 families and individuals that came in prior to Christmas. This year we've already seen 200 extra families in the last four months so we know this Christmas is going to be big."
BBFR recipients will be able to access Christmas food items as part of their regular food shop. Jan said to make sure there is enough items for all the recipients, BBFR needed community support.
"The recipients come in and do a regular shop, and also choose from a selection of Christmas items," Jan said. "The amount we can provide for people will be dependent on how much we can get in."
BBFR is an agency of Foodbank Victoria, receiving deliveries each week to supplement donations from the local community. Jan said even large services like Foodbank Victoria were being "hammered in every way" because of increased cost of living pressures.
"In the past we've been able to order 10 cartons of Christmas puddings from Foodbank," she said. "This year we could get two, which impacts how many we can give to families who come through. That shows that it's not just our area that is being impacted by the cost of living, it's everywhere, which is why we're asking the community, hand on heart, to dig deep and donate."
Jan commended local community members for their giving nature, encouraging them to continue their generosity this Christmas.
"The people of the Baw Baw Shire are fantastic at giving, we've seen that many times," she said. "We know they are really generous and we're hoping they can continue to support us this year, so we can support the people who are doing it tough. We know that it can be difficult for people to purchase extra food to donate, but even just a packet of jelly can make a big difference."
As part of the Christmas food drive, BBFR is holding a Christmas Food Donation Day, featuring Santa and his team. Between 11am and 2pm this Saturday at 11 Pearce St, Warragul, BBFR is inviting children and families to visit Santa and bring along Christmas food to donate.
Jan said the day was an excellent opportunity for children to grow a sense of community awareness, and have some festive fun.
"Santa and his crew will be there, a barbeque by the Lions Club and glitter face painting," she said. "It's a really great day for kids."
Donations for the BBFR Christmas food drive can be dropped off in the purple donation bins located in the Warragul and Drouin Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, or to BBFR directly at 11 Pearce St, Warragul.