Every Friday afternoon, boxes of fresh fruits, vegetables, bread and other healthy foods are delivered to our Flinders Street office, transforming the training room into a Community Food Drop Off.
The food is distributed by Second Bite, a company that redistributes fresh food donated by supermarkets such as Coles and Aldi, to community food programs around Australia. The Food Drop has been running in our Northern office locations since 2012, but was launched in the city office by our Elm Place service earlier this year.
Between 10 and 30 people come into the Food Drop each week and shop for everything from bananas to bread rolls. The majority of visitors are Relationships Australia SA clients, but often clients from Nunkuwarrin Yunti, the Aboriginal Sobriety Group and other local services will drop in.
Hazel, an Elm Place client, takes the Red Cross van to the Food Drop each week to pick up fresh produce.
“It’s just that every so often, we don’t have much, then we come here and we have a lot,” says Hazel. “It’s been such a help; I wish there were more places that did this.”
Outside of the pantry-stocking benefits, Hazel says the Food Drop is also a good opportunity for her to unwind and chat with other visitors and staff.
“I like being here. It settles me down and I get to see the same people from week to week,” says Hazel. “All of the staff are wonderful.”
The Food Drop Off is held at 191 Flinders Street every Friday from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm. For more information please contact Elm Place on 08 8419 2042.
