Hannah Hammoud
The Duke Street Community House (DSCH) has continued to advocate its plight for food relief funding as the threat of closure hangs over its future.
Recently featured on 9News, DSCH acting manager Louis Beunder said the food relief program has gained significant visibility, sparking an outpouring of support from the community.
In the wake of the news coverage, the community rallied behind the cause, reaching out to the organisation with inquiries about volunteering, donating, and offering other forms of assistance.
Mr Beunder said the response has been heart-warming, noting that many community members reached out simply to express their sadness at the uncertain fate of the program.
“It’s been really nice to have received a lot of support, and at this stage there is no definitive outcome for our food relief program,“ he said.
In February this year, the DSCH shared with Star Weekly that it’s food relief program operates without funding, and as demand for food relief continues to climb, the future of its program has become increasingly uncertain.
The DSCH offers the food relief service with a postcode restriction, accessible to locals living in the 3020, 3019 and 3012 postcodes through a ‘market-style’ service.
Although grateful for the generosity of community donations, Mr Beunder emphasised the need for sustainable support to ensure the program’s longevity. While every contribution, whether food or funds, is appreciated, it’s clear that substantial funding is required to secure the program’s future.
For those willing to contribute, Mr Beunder provided multiple avenues for reaching out, including email, the organisation’s website contact form, or a simple phone call.
“There are two main ways to support us. The first is to get in touch with your local representative and tell them about us and speak out in support of the program and support services as a whole, and hopefully those representatives will likely pass that message on,“ he said.
“The second way is through donations, even small increments add up in the end and it will help assist us in the meantime to support the program.“
Details: dsch.org.au/
