BCYF-COLES-ROTARY PARTNERSHIP
 

Barwon Child, Youth & Family (BCYF), a major community service provider in the Barwon region, has teamed up with 12 Geelong-based Coles’ supermarkets and Geelong Rotary clubs, to provide essential supplies for some of the
community’s most vulnerable members.

 

Throughout July and August, Coles stores across the region are facilitating customer donations of food, toiletries and
other non-perishable items. The donations are being collected, sorted and packed by a team of around thirty Rotarians
and friends, and distributed to BCYF’s clients in need.

 

Food insecurity is a growing issue in the Geelong region, compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Demand for essential supplies has increased significantly over the past year across the wider Geelong region,
as it has across the country. The donated supplies are provided to some of our most vulnerable community members,
some of whom may not have access to any other food at any particular point in time. Every donation is greatly
appreciated – every item helps to relieve basic physical needs.

 

In the first eight weeks of the partnership, Rotarians have compiled over 500 food packages, cooking equipment,
pantry items, dozens of boxes of hygiene articles and around sixty parcels of baby items. These have been
distributed to clients of BCYF through its Youth Services, Family and Community Services, and Culturally
and Linguistically Diverse departments.