Cire delivers for Second Bite and Rotary

Cire is supporting the Second Bite fresh food program in the Yarra Ranges through its organisational membership with Wandin Rotary.

Cire has joined the Rotary club’s roster to collect freshly cooked and frozen meals and deliver them to Yarra Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church volunteers for distribution to those in need in the Wandin area.

The Second Bite Program was launched several years ago by LinC in conjunction with local church groups with Wandin’s inclusion on the list in recent months. Other locations include Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Woori Yallock, Warburton and Mooroolbark.

From Wandin Senior Citizens Hall, food is being distributed to up to 30 families each Friday with some elderly residents collecting for their neighbours who are less mobile.

In a ‘paying it forward’ gesture, one woman in her 80s arrived with a shopping trolley overflowing with oranges she had picked from her tree to share far and wide.

‘Everyone receiving the food is so appreciative,’ said Pastor Emanuel Millen.

“It is so wonderful to see so many different groups working together to help those experiencing challenging times,’ he added.

Congregation member Veronica Tirchett who helps coordinate the program said the church was thrilled to be another outlet for the Second Bite Program at Wandin Senior Citizens.

“In light of the global pandemic, we thought that this would be a great help to those in this local community to support them through these tough and difficult times,: Veronica said.

“Hardship can happen to anyone and the cost of fresh food can make it difficult for people in need to maintain a balanced diet. We have a new public distribution point to assist people in need to have access to a range of seasonal fruit, vegetables and bread.”

Wandin Rotary has been assisting by collecting frozen meals and delivering them to the Senior Citizens Hall each week.

Rotarian Gavan McIntyre said the club had been delivering about 40 meals each week thanks to the generosity of a Rowville woman, Christine Smith who operates a commercial kitchen. Christine is currently having a break so the club is covering the cost of purchasing frozen meals while she is away.

For more information on the Wandin program, contact 03 5967 1272 or visit their website.

Main image – Cire’s Melissa Lizza (second from right) with Ian, Beth, Sheree and Rob from the Yarra Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church.