FORaMEAL Happenings for the Month of September 2024
A big welcome return to our bubbly and bright, Val. She readily slotted in to assisting with our two successful packing events this month.
On the September 10, we conducted an event at Strathcona, Tay Greggan where 100 girls packed 28,500 meals.
And yesterday, the September 25 we were at Scotch College at Hawthorn where 60 boys packed 23,000 meals.
Manpower has been light on this month due to other commitments of some of the usual team. A big thank you is extended to the stalwarts Ant, Neil, David, Kate, Marg from Port Phillip Rotary who consistently give their time and energy to ensure the smooth running of the events. We will certainly welcome back the travellers for the November and December events.
This means that for the first quarter of the Rotary Year for 2024 a grand total of 127,300 meals have been packed. Doug has been kept very busy with the international bureaucracy and the ever-ending paperwork for our shipment to the Philippines. 100,000 meals were distributed locally to Foodbank
We often receive acknowledgement from the leaders of the schools we visit and I include a copy of the latest one received from Jen Buchanan, Head of Tay Creggan Victoria for distributions by their front- line charity partners to help feed and meet the nutritional needs of many facing financial difficulties due to the current cost of living increases.
Dear Val, Nora, Marg and all the Rotary Team!
I want to express our sincere gratitude for the time, energy, and enthusiasm that your team brought to our Year 9 students. The commitment and passion from all the volunteers were truly inspiring, and it created such a positive and uplifting atmosphere for everyone involved.
We've received countless comments from students and staff alike, with many students describing it as their "best day" at school. There was a tangible buzz of excitement and engagement throughout the school, and the 'hum' of energy that filled the hallways was simply infectious.
Your efforts have created a memorable experience that our students this year and for sure they will cherish their “FORaMEAL” day at TC for years to come. We are already looking forward to doing this again next year and continuing this wonderful partnership.
Thank you once again for everything you’ve done to make the day such a success!
Warm regards,
Jen
Also, our volunteers from Pennant Melbourne who participated in the event at Camberwell Grammar School on August 22 have included a website Case Study and a LinkedIn Post. Again, great publicity for our project.
Website Case Study
Making a Difference, One Meal at a Time.
FORaMEAL, a project by the Rotary Club of Canterbury, provides emergency meals to those affected by natural and other disasters. Each year, they distribute meals free of charge to vulnerable individuals and families worldwide.
During the Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne, they redirected part of their FORaMEAL efforts to support the most vulnerable locals, providing over 200,000 meals. In June 2024, an additional 110,000 meals were provided to Food Bank Victoria for distribution by their front-line charity partners to those facing financial difficulties due to the current cost of living increases.
On August 22, 2024, a Pennant Melbourne team of four decided to lend a helping hand, and use of their two days volunteering leave to support FORaMEal. Colleagues arrived at Camberwell Grammar School at 2:00 PM to set up production lines. Each line included lentils, oats, rice, and sachets of essential vitamins and minerals. Their task was to fill the packs, weigh and heat seal them, and then box them up. Each pack provides a balanced and nutritious meal for 5-6 people! By 3:00 PM, several production lines were in full swing, and by 6:00 PM, the truck was loaded with over 20,000 meals.
One of our Pennant colleagues, Pamala Knyvett shared, “This was an amazing opportunity to help those in need, and I am looking forward to being involved again. I really enjoyed being part of this activity and appreciated how much could be achieved when everybody works together. Sharing this experience with my Melbourne colleagues was also very special.”
Together, we can make a difference!
LinkedIn Post
Making a Difference, One Meal at a Time.
On August 22nd, four colleagues from our Melbourne team lent a helping hand to FORaMEAL (a project by the Rotary Club of Canterbury). FORaMEAL provides emergency meals to those affected by natural and other disasters. Each year, they distribute meals free of charge to vulnerable individuals and families worldwide.
From setting up production lines of lentils, oats and rice, to packing, weighing and sealing, our colleagues were part of a collective effort that created 20,000 meals!
One of our Pennant colleagues, Pamala Knyvett said, “This was an amazing opportunity to help those in need, and I am looking forward to being involved again. I really enjoyed being part of this activity and appreciated how much could be achieved when everybody works together. Sharing this experience with my Melbourne colleagues was also very special.”
Well done team!
We’re proud to offer our colleagues two days paid volunteering leave, so they can support our local communities.
Picture from Strathcona
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