By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A COMMUNITY group has created a food relief program to support families in need throughout the Yarra Valley.
Aunty Glennis Mary’s Indigenous Food Group is made up of volunteers who have completed their first week of handing out fortnightly food parcels at the Badger Creek Hall.
Indigenous elder Aunty Glenys Mary began a food group more than two years ago but she passed away before it was able to be self-maintained.
Karen Brown was one of the volunteers who was keen to get the group going again and said she wanted to be doing something that would help other people.
“A lot of Aboriginal people used to use the program until it stopped but we want to share this food with anybody who needs it,” she said.
In the first week 37 families, including 55 adults and 39 children, requested a tucker box of fresh food and produce.
Eighty per cent of the families were from Healesville, and others came from Millgrove, Lilydale and as far as Ringwood. The boxes contain fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, pasta and cereal. The next food relief will be on 27 October and can be ordered through UYCH Community College on 0417 595 418 or 5957 1100.
