OzHarvest shouts lunch, fights hunger
Food rescue charity OzHarvest has announced a new one-day intiative, Shout Lunch, Fight Hunger, encouraging Australians on May 20th to donate the cost of their normal lunch and bring a packed lunch instead.
The charity is encouraging workplaces to get together on Friday May 20, bring a plate to work and donate the money saved to helping the hungry in Australia. Registered participants already include the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Toga Hospitality, Vibe Hotels, Medina Apartment Hotels, Macquarie Bank and Gadens.
OzHarvest is a not-for-profit organisation that rescues unwanted food from restaurants, retailers, food outlets and corporate kitchens across Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong and Adelaide with plans to provide services nationally in the coming years. OzHarvest distributes the rescued food to charities and homeless shelters daily, feeding communities in need.
OzHarvest said that, in terms of donations, just one dollar equals one meal, with $10 providing 10 meals to disadvantaged Australians.
2011 OzHarvest Shout Lunch Fight Hunger ambassador and celebrity chef Matt Moran said: “Why not show off your skills as a MasterChef and impress your workmates by bringing in a plate and at the same time, raise money for OzHarvest? It’s a no brainer and who doesn’t want to shout their mates lunch anyway?”
According to Bill Monk from the Eddie Dixon Centre at the Paddington Uniting Church, OzHarvest’s contribution has been essential in helping support everyone who comes through their doors in search of food and refuge.
Monk said: “Donations of food received from OzHarvest provide vital support to the Eddie Dixon Centre – it’s our front-line service to the needy, homeless and marginalised. OzHarvest’s contribution of daily food products has allowed us to make thousands of good meals here each day and every year to feed the needy. Thanks OzHarvest!”
Since 2004, OzHarvest has delivered eight million meals to communities in need, in addition to diverting good food from landfill. Australian households alone throw away roughly $5.2 billion worth of food every year and it is estimated that close to three million tonnes of food per annum ends up in the rubbish.
