Jess has been part of Food For Families for the past six to seven years. For her, it is a tangible way to give.
She previously supported larger food relief organisations but now finds greater purpose in helping her immediate community through Uniting. By donating essential items, she ensures that people in her area have access to the basics that everyone deserves.
Jess believes that no one in Australia should have to make the decision between paying bills and putting food on the table.
She’s especially passionate about supporting new families in the South Dandenong local area – many of whom arrived in Australia after experiencing unimaginable hardships. Knowing that her donations help these families settle into a new life means a lot to Jess.
Jess has a real passion for food. In another life, she might have been a chef, attracted to the way meals bring people together. She also understands how difficult it can be for many to access fresh, nutritious food. That’s why she’s made Food For Families an annual tradition – rallying her network to contribute in ways that suit them best.
She has a “well-trained” network of family, friends, and colleagues who help her collect donations each year. As the holiday season approaches, she hosts an afternoon tea where her network can bring their contributions. At work, she places a Food For Families box in her office kitchen, making it easy for her colleagues to drop-off items. Her good friend Cath, a personal trainer, gets her gym community involved, and some of Jess’s friends and family will even send her money, which she uses to shop for essential food items.
For Jess, what sets Food For Families a part is its tangible impact. She knows that times are tight for everyone, but she believes that even small acts – like checking the pantry or grabbing an extra tin or two during a regular shop – can make a real difference.
Each Christmas, Food for Families brings Jess’s community together. It’s not only a meaningful tradition and a way to connect with her friends and family but a way to make sure no one in her neighbourhood goes without.
