FareShare meals bring a taste of home to flooded families
When Echuca was flooded last October, the town was turned upside down and Echuca Neighbourhood House found itself at the forefront of food relief.
“The floods hit and we were absolutely whacked,” said manager Sarah Peake. “We didn’t think food relief would be big – it’s been massive!”
One thing was very clear as hundreds of flooded people were forced into motel rooms and caravan parks – ready-to-eat meals were essential.
“It’s all well and good giving people a food box but how are they going to cook meat, fresh veggies and pastas when they’ve got nothing but a microwave and toaster?” said Sarah.
“For our clients who have limited or no cooking facilities, FareShare meals are a godsend. Without them, they would only eat instant meals like noodles and soups that have limited nutritional benefits. They also make them feel normal again.
“Your meals are so important. The feedback I’ve had is that it’s like a taste of home when you’re living in a motel room. What you people do in the kitchen is truly a blessing for us.”
Months after last year’s devastating floods, the neighbourhood house is still providing FareShare meals to people struggling to get back into their homes.
Those seeking help include farmers whose crops and properties were wiped out, families, individuals and a growing number of people experiencing homelessness.
“We’ve always had a homeless presence but with the costs of living rising we have more people becoming homeless and then presenting here for assistance.
“We run a shower program so people come in for a shower in the morning, then come back and pick up their food relief food hamper which will have FareShare meals in it and they’ll ask if they can microwave one. They’ll sit here and eat, they’ll have a cuppa and read the newspaper and they’re normal for a couple of hours. And then they go back to their tent… “
Please donate to our Winter Appeal to bring FareShare meals and a taste of home to displaced families this winter.
Servings: 4 Ingredients 340g pasta (any variety you have on hand) 45ml olive oil (approx. 3 tablespoons) 3-4 cloves garlic, minced (or dried garlic powder if you don’t have fresh) 400g can of diced tomatoes
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