By Brendan Rees
A Casey charity is working tirelessly to feed hundreds of homeless and disadvantaged people as it faces unprecedented demand due to Covid-19.
BK 2 Basics Melbourne founder Kelly Warren said there was a sharp rise in the need for food assistance since the lockdown began – with people travelling from as far as St Kilda and Melton to attend her Narre Warren-based community pantry.
Ms Warren said there were “lots of tears” – with some “feeling embarrassed just to come in”.
“We were busy before but it’s definitely a lot busier now,” she said, adding “well over” 150 people were seeking help each day.
“Just people you would never think would need service. It’s just sad.
“We say ‘put your embarrassment at the door, we’re one big family … if you need it, you need it’.”
She added her not-for-profit organisation was helping at least 40 per cent of people who had lost their job. Many others, she said, had shared heartbreaking stories.
“I could be here all day telling you some of them … we see a lot of domestic violence (victims).”
Meanwhile, Ms Warren said donations from major supermarkets had dried up a little as companies struggled to get enough deliveries, making it hard to collect recycled food.
“We pick up from between about 13 and 15 stores a day. We may get back eight crates of food.”
Fortunately, other kind-hearted companies and restaurants were donating food items, with monetary donations from the community pouring in – which went towards their Food Bank bill totalling almost $1000 per week.
Lollipops Playland in Noble Park had also kindly donated boxes of food stock after being forced to close their doors during the lockdown.
Ms Warren said she had begun making ‘basic bags’ consisting of milk and cereal and other staples for the community’s vulnerable and elderly who were “really suffering because of the lockdown”.
Ms Warren along with her husband Craig also cooked and distributed home-cooked meals for people who desperately need their help and dedicated each Wednesday night to serving hot meals at the Hampton Park Community House.
“All you want to do is stay open all the time … it’s beyond our control.
“What people don’t realise is everyone thinks it’s going to be OK after lockdown. This is going to take years for people to recover.
“These people will need our service for the next two months more than ever.”
To donate visit: https://bk2basicsmelbourne.org/ or Facebook: Bk 2 Basics Melbourne
