Hi all,
Tonight, we had apologies from Lynne Cooper, Mick Costello, GP, Ron Payne, and Jenny Sanderson. Our guests tonight were Kaye Lehmann and Garry Jennings, Kaye being our guest speaker.
After a delightful meal Kaye told us of her role as procurement and logistics manager at FoodShare Bendigo.
FoodShare believes in “Food with Dignity”, they teach young people to cook and believe in offering a hand-up rather than a handout. Their food is always in perfect condition. They source and distribute food from a wide area from Echuca to Daylesford and St. Arnaud to Rushworth. They regularly trade food with other FoodShare’s.
Kaye's job is to procure food for little or no cost, (she mostly likes no cost) and she arranges freight for mate’s rates or free of charge. There are now 92 relief partners in our region, these include Charitable organisations, Community and neighbourhood houses, Community and church groups, Schools, kindergartens and early learning centres.
Their food is sourced from, Supermarkets and food retailers, Hospitality businesses, Food
manufacturers and Agricultural businesses and growers. They have a mobile food pantry
which runs when other organisations close over Christmas. Kaye has seen a 40% increase
per annum in demand for their services in each of the last 3 years. FoodShare runs Pop-up Pantries around Bendigo and is well supported by the different Rotary Clubs. On December 30th they will be operating out of the Mechanics Institute from Noon until about 3pm.
Bendigo FoodShare provides food for 15,500 people each week.
Kaye invited us to cook a BBQ at their next Farmers Market which is to be held at their Breen St premises on December 18th and despite us being very busy that week, many
members have offered to help.
This week we are finalizing our commitment to the Christmas trailer raffle, thanks to those
who have offered to help. On Sunday we are assisting with the decorating of the soundshell in preparation for carols by candlelight. Thanks again to the valuable helpers.
Next week we have our Christmas breakup with Bendigo South at Brian and Gail
Fitzpatrick's. I look forward to catching up with you all then.
I received a most beautiful Christmas card (and a tin of butter cookies) from Kylie
Rowbottom tonight and I want to share it with all our members. (The cookies too.) See
below.
Geoff Gallagher
Dear Friends of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk,
Thank you for everything you guys have done for me and Miss Courtney over the last two years. Especially at this difficult time. You helped to keep me safe in those early days which were so terribly difficult and advised me about finances and other important decisions. You have brought me a bit more out of my shell. You have accepted me for who I am which has been so important to me. I have learnt a lot and wish I could have joined Rotary a long time ago. I will miss my Wednesday nights and all the Rotary activities and good friends.
Love From Kylie and Courteny
A wish for peace and happiness at Christmas
and throughout the New Year
