General News
25 April, 2024
Collecting for those in need
TERANG Country Bakery launched a challenge to collect the most in-demand kitchen staple for those who have fallen on hard times, with the community rallying behind the cause.
Bakery owners Gaye McVilly and Brad Burkitt this month launched the Terang and District Rice Challenge, which aims to collect rice to be be donated to Western District Food Share at the end of the month.
Ms McVilly said she was inspired to launch the challenge after striking up a conversation with Western District Food Share executive officer Amanda Hennessy.
“I had put a box out for people to donate food items which could be delivered to Western District Food Share, and when I took that box over I was talking to Amanda and she was very excited,” she said.
“She mentioned Western District Food Share did not have a collection point in Terang, and asked if we would be willing to do it.
“I said yes because it’s just an easy thing for us to do; we just supply a space for the donations.
“On the day I asked what they needed the most, the one pantry staple most needed, and she said it was rice.”
This spurred the concept of a rice challenge, which gave the community the opportunity to combine their efforts to donate the most in-demand item.
At the time of publication, the wider community has rallied around the challenge with more than 80 kilograms of rice donated.
Western District Food Share is a Warrnambool-based not-for-profit organisation which distributes emergency food to those in need in emergency situations through various partner agencies such as charities and community groups, and through school programs.
With one week remaining in the month, Ms McVilly said Terang Country Bakery would match the total if 100 kilograms of rice is donated.
“It would be nice to reach 100 kilos, and we’ll happily match it,” she said.
“The Terang community is so supportive of any fundraising or charity.
“People have already been very giving, and they’re meeting all the criteria from microwave bags of rice through to larger bags.”
Mr Burkitt said he was proud to offer a little bit of space in the bakery which could be used to support those who have fallen on hard times.
“It’s really good to see how much people have supported this,” he said.
“It’s good that people who can help others have the opportunity to do so, and we’re more than happy to be a place where people can drop it off.
“It can be something as simple as throwing another packet in the trolley when you’re doing your shopping; it’s not that much more if you’re in a position to support those who can’t afford it.”
Ms McVilly said Terang Country Bakery plans on hosting a food drive every couple of months in a bid to collect items most needed by those who are struggling, but was also happy to accept goods at any time.
“We might do something else in a couple of months, it could be something like tin soups,” she said.
“It would be based on what items are most needed, but we’re always prepared to take anything such as cereals, pastas and soups.
“We have a list of items at the collection point of what the staple pantry items in most need are.”
