Producers dig deep for Carnarvon
Community-minded business have banded together to help victims of tropical cyclone Olwyn.
Food Rescue, a service of UnitingCare West, Larry Brewer of North West Express Mobile Butcher and Vince Gareffa of Mondo Community Warriors, collected several tonnes of fresh food and drove the cargo to those affected by the natural disaster, which swept through Carnarvon last month.
Mr Brewer came up with the idea to drive his semi-trailer to the town to help local growers and residents during their time of need. Together with Mr Gareffa and the UCW Food Rescue team, he encouraged local growers to donate fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
UCW's Food Rescue truck went to Gingin to collect vegetables directly from local growers, and visited Karagullen to pick up another big donation.
UCW Food Rescue manager Julie Broad travelled to Carnarvon to co-ordinate the distribution of the food alongside the local Shire, the growers association and their army of volunteers.
Carnarvon Shire president Karl Brandenburg said growers were a huge part of the community and economy.
"Not only have they had damages to their home to deal with from cyclone Olwyn, a majority of them have lost their livelihood and business," he said.
"This initiative is to let them know that other growers are thinking about them and to know that they are not alone."
UnitingCare West's Food Rescue collects more than 14,000kg of food every week from cafes, caterers, supermarkets and wholesalers and delivers it to those experiencing hardships in WA.
