Shepparton Foodshare’s Annual Fundraising Dinner ‘MAKE A MEAL OF JUNE’ Is Back

Shepparton Foodshare’s annual fundraising dinner, ‘Make A Meal of June’ is back at The Woolshed @ Emerald Bank on June 1. Foodshare Chair Jeremy Rensford said, “after a couple of years of ‘takeout style’ due to COVID we are really looking forward to being able to come together in person again with our supporters and enjoying Ang and Cam’s wonderful hospitality at The Woolshed whilst raising much needed funds for our new warehouse.”

The Woolshed’s Angela Mangiameli said, “Shepparton Foodshare is such an essential local service, they provide food for people in need, opportunities and connections for volunteers and prevent quality food from going to landfill. We love where we live and our community is so important to us, our support of this event is a great way that Cam and I can in turn support our community.”

Food insecurity continues to rise, your support via 'Make a Meal of June' will help keep the doors of this critical LOCAL service open and providing food for the most vulnerable in our community. Funds raised from the dinner will go towards Foodshare’s ‘forever home’ building fund. Since it commenced in 2012 Foodshare has had no secure warehouse tenure and has operated thanks to extreme community generosity. Knowing accommodation security is its biggest risk, the Foodshare board have had this project in the planning for the past five years, now with notice to vacate their existing warehouse they need to raise enough funds to commence building as soon as possible. Jeremy said, “we’re so grateful for the support received for the past 10 years however our sustainable future is relying on a more permanent solution, our own home.”

Tickets to ‘Make a Meal of June’ can be purchased online at www.sheppartonfoodshare.org.au. Your $100 ticket includes a 3-course meal, welcome drink and importantly a contribution to assist with a sustainable future for Foodshare!

The local food rescue service recently received a donation of land from the Andreadis family, along with a $600,000 funding commitment from the federal government, they were however disappointment that there were no capital funds allocated by the state government in their recent budget. Jeremy said, “although no funding was allocated by the state government for our project, our board remains committed to continuing to advocate, lobby and fundraise to ensure the new warehouse can be realised for the benefit of our community. The support from the federal government, the Andreadis family and business/community donations to date is a great start to our fundraising campaign however we will need additional support to see this project through.”

As in previous years at the dinner, business and individuals can purchase a ‘Monthly Partner Package’. Jeremy said, “The packages are popular with businesses as it provides them with an opportunity to contribute to their local community whilst also providing a return on their investment via promotional opportunities.”

Alternatively, with the end of financial year near it is also a great time to make a tax-deductible donation to Shepparton Foodshare via the website at sheppartonfoodshare.org.au
Since inception Shepparton Foodshare has distributed more than 3.4 million kilos of food to people in need, or the equivalent of 6.8 million meals. Last year, Shepparton Foodshare distributed a record 433,000 kilos of food via emergency relief agencies, schools and churches. Jeremy said “with demand for food relief rising due to the continued pressures of COVID and increasing living costs our service is needed more now than ever. The agencies that collect our food for the people they support are telling us they are seeing new individuals and families regularly; these are people that have not needed a hand up before.”