Episode 9 - Who Counts?
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Gen, from the Macedon Ranges, tells us about her journey to leave a controlling and violent relationship. With great courage and wisdom she shares with us the steps she took and how much she appreciates Foodbank. We also hear the story of FAVI an amazing French company that for over thirsty years ran on trust, autonomy and self managed teams. And of course the latest instalment of Seven Little Australians.
Here are links to the two Foodbanks in the Macedon Ranges:
Here are the ideas Gen has for how people can contribute to Foodbank:
Action:
1.All local schools /kinders to be a collection point for Foodbank. It could always be utilised if there was a local emergency ( bushfire) ;an auxiliary supply to Red Cross.
2. Foodbank order fruit and veg. If a school didn't want to collect food they could set up a one off/ ongoing fortnightly or monthly donation/ raffle or gold coin drive to subsidise purchases.
3. Donate zip lock bags or paper bags for repackaging Foodbank's supplies.
4. Follow Foodbank on Facebook to understand their needs. Communicate with them via Facebook to enquire what they need -personnel, petrol vouchers for the volunteers who make home deliveries, extra volunteer's to collect from donation point bins, packaging, what's short that week, chest freezers or upright fridges, donations to help pay their electricity expenses, donations of local trades' time who can repair or maintain their refrigeration equipment, printing and graphic design help if they wanted to do a letter drop or more signage around town, storage shelving?
5. Schools should have time in class or in school newsletters to discuss or educate about food scarcity and dignity. SBS Insight program (Jenny Brockie ) had a food scarcity show about a year ago. Maybe it's still available to watch? It's not all about people living in the streets. It should make an impact to think about what's wasted in lunchboxes.
6. I have looked in the bins at the side exit of IGA centre. Bakeries are still throwing out product. We have a problem in food retail that the perception is shops must display a bounty of food to make ANY produce look enticing. Why? They know consumer habits and typical quantity purchase amounts. Australia's a prosperous nation but we waste so much food just for the desire to have pleasurable optics both in stores and at home ( who doesn't joke about the fridge crisper drawer being the compost bin). We have enough food and resources to share.
7. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a gift. I don't know about storage issues on site but long term easy storage, less perishable donations of onions, pumpkin etc might be good as it doesn't matter if it stays in your car boot for days before donating.
** In September when the Government financial subsidies are turned off they'll be a second wave of new clients at Foodbanks across Australia. We have time to prepare now to help them.
How can this focus be sustained? A business/ people could make and donate fridge magnets so it can be at the forefront at home when considering unwanted groceries? Could people put Foodbank's contact details into their mobile phone?
Lastly, what can we do for the Foodbank volunteers themselves? They are the depository of many stories . Do they need anything personally? It must wear on them sometimes?
Let Flatten More Curves
The blog posts written by Corporate Rebels about the french company FAVI.
