A three-year $90,000 commitment to support OzHarvest will ensure more Gold Coast and Port Macquarie / Hastings locals won’t go without a nutritious meal.

The volunteer-run food rescue service, which collects thousands of kilograms of produce every month from local supermarkets, bakeries, butchers and regional farmers, has big plans for donation.

“OzHarvest helps feed the needy in our community and saves good quality produce from landfill,” Port Macquarie OzHarvest Chapter Coordinator Linda Brettell explained.

“This financial support will enable us to continue to run our OzHarvest Port Macquarie refrigerated van with future prospects of upgrading to a modern economical van which will enable us to reach further communities.

The rescued produce is delivered to local soup kitchens, youth and womens’ refuges and charities which prepare food parcels to feed an estimated 700 Port Macquarie and Wauchope locals in need every week.

Lewis Land Group’s localised support of Ozharvest Port Macquarie is through it’s master planned residential community Sovereign Hills, and OzHarvest Gold Coast through Harbour Town Gold Coast outlet centre.

Chris Calvert, Lewis Land Group’s chief executive officer, said he was delighted to build an ongoing relationship with OzHarvest.

“OzHarvest’s army of volunteers work tirelessly to save quality food from landfill while feeding Gold Coast and Hastings locals; this is such a win/win for our communities,” Mr Calvert stated.

“We are passionate about helping those who are less fortunate in our community. We hope our support for OzHarvest inspires others to donate either financially or their surplus produce.  Our $45,000 donation to OzHarvest is through our Harbour Town Gold Coast outlet shopping centre, and $45,000 at Sovereign Hills Port Macquarie, taking the total to $90,000 across both sites over three years.”

The Port Macquarie Chapter food rescue van conducts 110 produce pickups and deliveries each week and is often on the road from sunrise to sunset.

“People don’t often see this but there are a lot of homeless people living in Port Macquarie and Wauchope. There are many more living right on the poverty line and we’ve noticed these numbers have increased, particularly over the past couple of months,” added Mrs Brettel.
“Electricity costs and the price of food have gone up and this has put pressure on local charities including OzHarvest because we supply to these charities. There are 30 charities which rely heavily on us for produce; without it they wouldn’t be able to help those in need.”

To continue their vital work, OzHarvest survives on grants and donations. If you would like to support OzHarvest, you can donate online at www.ozharvest.org

Sovereign Hills supporting OzHarvest

Back To Top