Federal Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus centre, with Keith Homan and Trish Keilty, both from Avocare, during a visit to the organisation last week.By Bridget Cook
AVOCARE in Dandenong is lending a helping hand with flood recovery efforts.
The organisation, which provides training and education programs and distributes food to people in need, has prepared and distributed items including baby food and pasta to flood-affected communities in regional Victoria.
Federal Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus visited the not-for-profit organisation last week to congratulate them on their efforts.
Mr Dreyfus said that the recent floods in Victoria and Queensland had devastated many communities and it was important as a community do all that was possible to help the recovery and rebuilding process.
“Many people are doing it extremely tough at the moment in these flood-affected communities, with basic items such as baby food not readily available,” he said.
“It’s great to see a local community organisation like Avocare, which already provides so much support to the most needy and disadvantaged members of our community, stepping in to help people most in need in flood-affected areas in regional Victoria.
“In a great demonstration of community spirit, Avocare workers were able to prepare and label 130,000 jars of baby food in a single week, with many of these jars going to families in the worst flooded areas.”
Avocare has been operating in Dandenong since 2003. Last year, it received a $1.16 million grant through the Federal Government’s Job Fund to help expand the organisation’s food recycling and distribution enterprise and boost local employment.
“I am extremely happy with the partnership between the Federal Government and Avocare, which is enabling this local organisation to expand its operations and continue to provide food to those in need in our community.”
