With cost-of-living pressures and other hardships making it difficult to put food on the table, Kilmore food relief centre Freedom Care wants to remind everyone they’re here to help.
Shoppers will be given units to spend on items allocated based on the situation with a family of four, for example, being given 40 units to go around the shop picking items they need.
The layout of the centre replicates that of a regular supermarket – with shelves stocked with donated and purchased items including tinned goods, soaps, baby formula, cereal, pet food and other goods.
The freezers contain frozen vegetables, meats and fish with an array of fresh fruit and vegetables and bread lining the entrance to the centre.
The centre received products from Food Bank, grocery stores, food suppliers and purchases made using financial donations.
Freedom Care Church pastor Frantz said the community could access food relief as often as needed.
“People come in and I’ll speak to them mainly because I want to find out how much I can help them. Unless I can have a conversation with someone, they just become a number that goes through and buys things,” he said.
“We want people to feel valued for who they are.
“Also I’m a pastor, so if you need something or want to speak to me I’m available for this too.”
Pastor Frantz said there had been an increase in people needing help.
“We find some people who come out of family violence see us and we give them food, clothes, shoes etc,” he said.
“They come out fed and clothed. So, we do what we can.”
Currently operating with a team of about 35 volunteers, the centre is always looking for more help with anybody holding a valid Working with Children’s Check able to volunteer.
“The volunteers that we have are terribly stretched,” Pastor Frantz said.
“We also need to know if our volunteers are in need because we want to be the first one to help you. We really want you here.”
The centre was established in 2009 in Wallan supporting victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.
When demand grew Freedom Care moved to its current location in Kilmore at 127C Northern Highway.
Pastor Frantz wants to remind the community the centre was there to help.
“Some people have been living here all their life and they never know we’re here,” he said.
Freedom Care is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9.30am to 2pm and Saturday 10am to 12pm.
