An emergency relief program delivering food to people in need across the inner west is in danger of folding when it runs out of funds in June.
Gateway Community Foodlink, a not-for- profit group based in Spotswood, is trying to raise $20,000 to keep its program going for at least another year.
Each week, it delivers 2.5 tonnes of food to more than 750 people, including disadvantaged school children, older men and church groups.
Volunteer co-ordinator Fatima Milhem said the Foodlink program did not receive government funding and relied on community grants and donations.
She said at least $20,000 was needed to operate a refrigerated truck to continue distributing food from donors such as Foodbank, Second Bite, Altona IGA and Bakers Delight.
“Now, we’re in a situation where we’re looking at fundraising to be able to sustain this very pivotal support program for the community because, if anything, the need is growing.”
A fundraising dinner will be held on June 12 at Yarraville Club.
Ms Milhem said community organisations that had previously helped fund the program were feeling the bite of government cutbacks and had been unable to commit this year.
“Everyone’s cutting back where they can, which has left us with a really tight budget … we’re having this fundraiser to see if we can at least run it for another year or two until we can get some different source of funding.”
The program received the Minister for Health Volunteer Award in 2012 and 2013.
More details, donations: Fatima Milhem, 9399 3511 or fatimam@gatewaysupport.org.au.
Goya Dmytryshchak
