Knox City Council has responded to surging community need for food and other emergency relief by entering into a five-year lease with Outer East Foodshare to operate a food relief distribution centre in Wantirna.
It follows an 18-month trial with the volunteer group using the Council building in Templeton Street to collect rescued food, surplus products and 'ugly' farm produce to distribute to local food relief agencies.
Knox Mayor, Councillor Lisa Cooper said more people than ever are reaching out for help with food and other living costs.
"This means our local welfare agencies struggle to access enough food for people in need," she said.
"Outer East Foodshare will use Council's building to sort, store and distribute supplies from Foodbank and other agencies to 46 local services who support residents in need.
"There is an estimated shortage of 167,138 kilograms of food each year needed to support people here in Knox. Outer East Foodshare is able to provide 109,500 kilograms of food, dramatically cutting this shortfall.
"Volunteers previously had to travel long distances to pick up food, which costs time and petrol."
All 46 food relief providers in the outer east were surveyed to gauge their level of satisfaction with the pilot project and determine the impact the trial had on their organisation.
"It is clear the Outer East Foodshare hub has had a positive and significant impact on food relief in Knox, both for the community and those that work and volunteer their time in these organisations," Cr Cooper said.
If you live in Knox and need help with food and other emergency relief, visit knox.vic.gov.au/relief-providers
