Each Thursday between 11am and 3pm, a group of keen volunteers operate the not-for-profit Food Hub from the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 60 Oliver Street, Glen Innes. Every week they assist between 100 and 140 families by providing them with low cost or no cost food and other basics.
Most food and goods are provided by partnering with Foodbank, although some items are provided free from a local supermarket. The only requirement to access the Food Hub is a Centrelink card, although in dire circumstances assistance is extended to others in need.
A wide range of goods are provided, though there can be changes in what is available on a weekly basis. There are also some limits placed on goods depending on availability. The usual limit is 4 per family, but at times of shortage this can be reduced to 1 per family to make sure that everyone can get the available goods. Costs are kept to a minimum and are well below those of major supermarkets. Vegetables are provided free of charge and are often provided from the excess of local growers. There is also a “free shelf” that people can access.
The general atmosphere at the Food Hub is welcoming and engaging. Kev, the local pastor often acts as doorkeeper and greeter, and Jenni and Pauline are involved in the overall running of the venture. Behind the scenes are a broad range of other activities including ordering the food and organising the volunteers. They all feel that people benefit from this service and have provided several quotes from participants:
“The Food Hub is the best thing in town, so many people have been helped” and “I couldn’t manage otherwise’.
In times of stress, those struggling with a tight budget can make contact with the Food Hub and know that they will be willingly assisted and some of their basic needs provided for. It’s a fine thing that this is available to the Glen Innes community. The Food Hub is also wheelchair accessible.
