Record Collection For Local Food Drive
A record 17,629 non-perishable food items have been collected, as a result of the community food drive held by Dural District and Cherrybrook Anglican Churches on Sunday June 15. The 2008 ANGLICARE food drive was an amazing success, with an increase of 3769 items compared to last year’s collection.
On the cold, rainy, Sunday morning more than two hundred people ventured on to the streets to start knocking on doors. The collectors varied in age from twelve months, through to the elderly members of the church congregations.
Pastor of Cherrybrook Anglican Church, Gavin Poole, said the church was overwhelmed by the amazing response from the community.
“We were all encouraged by how well the community answered the call for donations. I know our Church congregation really felt a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing that all the food items collected were going to help feed those struggling to survive this winter” Pastor Poole said. It was the fifth food drive held by the Dural District Anglican Churches and their biggest ever according to Dural Anglican Churches Senior Minister, Fergus Semler.
“We collected an absolute avalanche of cans – It is wonderful to witness the huge generosity displayed by our local communities, for which we thank God.”
“The food drive is a great initiative for three reasons; 1. It involves our whole parish; 2. It’s a great way to get the community involved and build a relationship with our local neighbours, and; 3. It’s great to partner with ANGLICARE and help those who need a helping hand” said Minister Semler.
The food items that were collected will be donated to and distributed from ANGLICARE’s Rooty Hill warehouse and the overflow will be distributed from ANGLICARE Summer Hill. Felicia Fitzgerald, ANGLICARE’s Team Leader of Emergency Relief at Rooty Hill, said the contribution by the Dural and Cherrybrook Parishes will help provide food to clients for up to a year.
“ANGLICARE at Rooty Hill distributes between 30-50 food parcels a week to single parent families; those coping with unemployment or illness; or people affected by addiction or relationship breakdown.”
“It is just mind-blowing how much the Cherrybrook and Dural communities, including local schools, supermarkets and also the Galston District Community Bank – Bendigo Bank, got behind the food drive,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
ANGLICARE Sydney CEO, Peter Kell, collected food items and spoke to the volunteers on the day of the food drive. Mr Kell said he was encouraged by the way the practical partnership with ANGLICARE had enabled the parishes to find an active and visible way to care for the community and share the Gospel.
The food drive coincides with ANGLICARE’s annual winter appeal, which people can contribute to at ANGLICARE’s website www.anglicare.org.au or by phoning 13 26 22.
For more information about the food drive results and/or how you can help, please visit the Dural Anglican Church website at www.duralanglican.org.au
