The Cranbourne Food Truck will be back on the road again providing food, support referral, friendship and fellowship to socially vulnerable and financially disadvantaged members of our community from Monday 6 December.
The program in an outreach initiative of the Cranbourne Uniting Church and has been operating since January 2012.
Three nights per week, the dedicated team of volunteers serve hot meals cooked by the community, for the community.
The truck will be serving food from behind the Westpac bank branch at the corner of Lyall Street and High Street in Cranbourne on Monday and Wednesday between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, and on Saturday from the Cranbourne Regional Uniting Church at 41 Lesdon Avenue between 6.30pm – 7.30pm.
According to the Victorian Council of Social Service, 774,000 or 13.2 per cent Victorians live in poverty, and in Cranbourne the rate of poverty is around 19 per cent.
Of all people living in poverty in Cranbourne, 13 per cent are unemployed, 11 per cent own their home outright and 46 per cent own their home with a mortgage.
One in three of those who live in poverty are families with young children.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this complex issue through changes in employment, disruptions to the food supply, increased prices of fresh produce and restrictions on movement.
The dinners are an opportunity to meet the community where they are and to chat, share stories and link individuals to appropriate support services.
The church also teams up with larger initiatives like Foodbank and Share The Dignity along with local donations from schools, community groups, local organisations and individuals to provide access to fresh fruit, vegetables and non-perishable food and personal care items.
To donate, volunteer or get in contact with the truck service, visit cranbourne.ucavictas.org.au/food-truck/
