Despite economic hardship and the rising cost of living people donated generously to the recent annual food drive at All Souls’ Parish, St Peters.
Co-ordinator of the project, Ann Peisley, said: “The quantity of food donated this year is evidence of people’s great generosity as across-the-board cost increases affect everyone, both those able to give, and those who need food assistance.”
The Winter Food Collection in aid of the AnglicareSA Magdalene Centre in Gilbert Street, is an annual tradition. Residents of St Peters, College Park, Joslin, Royston Park and Marden donate goods to the collection, as well as parishioners’ friends and families who live outside those areas.
Most donations are non-perishable food and hygiene products, with some infant supplies, “treats” and pet food.
The project started in 2007 when a parishioner reported that the food distribution shelves at the Magdalene Centre were empty. An emergency collection of non-perishable foods was quickly planned. A team of helpers dropped advertising flyers into local letterboxes and businesses throughout surrounding suburbs.
The food collection has grown from a quantity that could be transported in two large vehicles in the early days, to now requiring to be transported by truck.
“The success of this outreach activity would not be possible without volunteers who scrounge and save many cardboard boxes, walk the district putting flyers into letterboxes, accept donations at the church on the day and then sort, pack and stack the food ready for collection,” Mrs Peisley concluded.
