By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong Council will give at-risk charity Avocare “as much support and assistance as we can”.
The social enterprise announced through an emotional online video that it needed to raise $100,000 in the next 90 days to survive.
Councillor Matthew Kirwan asked the Monday 9 April council meeting whether the council help Avocare to find a new home.
The lease on its Dandenong South warehouse is about to expire and a six-month quest for another space turned up nothing.
Community services director Martin Fidler said the council had contacted Avocare and would tap into its business community contacts on the charity’s behalf.
He said the council would also provide advice on grant programs and on co-location and partnership opportunities.
“We’ll continue to be in touch with Avocare and provide as much support and assistance as we can,” Mr Fidler said.
Founder Trish Keilty said Avocare rescued 23 tonnes of food each week for 125 charities to distribute to people who’d otherwise go hungry.
About 150 people in training and employment programs work in the Avocare warehouse.
“The cost to deliver one of our meals is just $3.30,” she said.
Ms Keilty started Avocare in 2003.
“Over the last decade the demand for our services has dramatically escalated,” she said.
“In the last three years demand has increased more than 40 per cent.”
Contact at trish@avocare.org.au or visit www.avocare.org.au to help.
