By Danielle Kutchel
A Casey food relief agency is looking for a new home.
Casey ADRA has been operating a food relief pantry program from the Timbarra Community Hall in Berwick over the course of the pandemic.
They provide a variety of foods and pantry staples, baby products, sanitary items and even kitty litter.
But the pantry will come to an end this week when ADRA vacates the hall to allow it to be used by the community again after Covid restrictions ease.
Casey ADRA is now looking for a warehouse to use as its permanent home.
The site will need to be accessible for clients with disabilities or those with prams, and it would be preferable if it had a commercial kitchen to allow volunteers to cook meals for those in need.
Casey ADRA project manager Beata Stednik said it was disappointing to have to move from Timbarra.
“There is more need now than ever,” she said.
The organisation is currently assisting 800 families a week, or about 5000 people.
And demand is not expected to ease as Covid restrictions lift, because many people are still without work and need help.
Casey ADRA runs a number of programs, staffed by volunteers.
Paulette and her son Santiago are two new volunteers with ADRA.
Paulette, a seasoned volunteer, said she was proud to be able to help in her local area.
She said the opportunity was also good for Santiago, to “expand his heart”.
Casey ADRA will still provide some forms of food relief after leaving the hall as they search for a new home.
The organisation is always looking for volunteers. Volunteers must be fully vaccinated.
For more information on volunteering, or if you are able to provide a ADRA with a new warehouse to call home, or if you require food relief assistance, contact Beata on 0425 747 866.
