General News
9 May, 2024
“Generous” community answers challenge
A SIMPLE challenge has seen the community raise an astonishing 184 kilograms of rice to be distributed to south west residents who have fallen on hard times.
As Western District Newspapers recently reported, Terang Country Bakery owners Gaye McVilly and Brad Burkitt launched a challenge to collect as much rice as possible during April, which would be donated to Western District Food Share.
The idea behind the challenge began after Terang Country Bakery offered to serve as a collection point for items which the community donates to Western District Food Share.
The bakery had collected 84.2 kilograms of rice with one week remaining in the month, but a final surge from the community saw to total dramatically increase.
Western District Food Share executive officer Amanda Hennessy said she was shocked such an incredible amount had been raised in such a short period of time.
“It’s extraordinary for Terang and the wider district to be able to respond to a call like that,” she said.
“Gaye’s perspective that it would be easier for people to respond if she was able to list the most in-need product was a really good idea.
“It’s not a large population we’re talking about, Terang and the wider area, so I think it’s extraordinary they were willing to donate so much in such a short period of time.
“It’s such a supportive community and it’s the local community who benefits – the product these people have given us is going directly to those in their community who need support.”
Ms McVilly said she was proud the community had been so generous in its support.
This included the 1st Noorat Scouts raising 22 kilograms of rice, the Terang Returned and Services League sub-branch donating rice as an in-kind ‘thank you’ for the bakery donating bread and bread rolls ahead of Anzac Day, and a donation stemming from a Morwell man wo had seen the news and contacted the Terang IGA to purchase a 10-kilogram bag of rice over the phone.
“It’s just blown me away,” Ms McVilly said.
“I had no idea the total was going to rise so much.
“It’s good to be able to supply a place for collection, but we really haven’t had to do much at all.
“We’ve just promoted it and provided a space, and everyone else has jumped on board.”
As Western District Newspapers previously reported, Ms McVilly vowed Terang Country Bakery would match the donation if the community could donate 100 kilograms.
However, Mrs Hennessy said a cash donation was agreed upon as matching such a large volume of rice may be impractical.
“I said to save you from having to go and buy that much rice, I could take the donation and do the purchasing on her behalf,” she said.
“Gaye suggested I use the money to buy the next most in-demand product, so I’ll be going on a big shop for tinned goods.”
Mrs Hennessey said the donation would go to a good cause, with Western District Food Share last year distributing 180 tonnes of food to more than 42,000 people and 27,000 children.
She said an influx of the most in-need item, such as rice, went a long way towards supporting south west residents who are in need.
“We have some challenges in getting the staples,” Mrs Hennesy said.
“We have the ability to purchase discount items from Foodbank Victoria but sometimes when I go to order, what we need is not there.
“That causes gaps in us having a combination of the staple pantry products to put in emergency food hampers.
“What we’re trying to do at all times is give the recipients, whether that’s a family or an individual, the ingredients needed so they can make meals.”
As Terang Country Bakery is now a recognised collection point for Western District Food Share, Mrs Hennessy said any future donations were more than welcome.
“Anything on special in way of a staple panty item is something we’re always looking for,” she said.