Message from Foothills Community Care

It is no exaggeration to say that for many of us 2020 has been one of the toughest years we have faced. For many who are isolated and vulnerable, the social and economic impact of Covid-19 has made life especially challenging.

This year we’ve continued to adapt our services as demand has skyrocketed, and distributed over 25,000+ meals. Last week alone we distributed over 950 meals.
We can only continue to do this with the enormous support we receive from both our volunteers and our local generous community, who have donated funds and goods in kind.

Each Monday in Upwey and Wednesday in Ferntree Gully we provide hot takeaway meals for people to come and collect. Our drivers then deliver meals three times a week to many households via our Community Casseroles scheme.

We’ve also partnered with many local businesses through our Pay it Forward Program. Through this, businesses can donate meals to us to distribute out or provide vouchers for locals to use at their cafe. This has been a great way to support locals and promote local
businesses at the same time.

Foothill Food Christmas Lunch

I can now confirm that we will be hosting our 19th annual Ferntree Gully Lunch this year. Like everything else, it will be Covid-friendly and adjusted. For this year we will host two sessions of the lunch on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December. The lunch will be held at St John the Baptist Parish Hall in Forest Road. People must book beforehand and strict limits apply. Details are on our website page.

Reverse Advent Calendar

We hope to spread some extra cheer this Christmas with our Foothills Reverse Advent Calendar.

The Reverse Advent Calendar is about giving instead of receiving. For 25 days during November, you place one item of non-perishable food, toiletries or a Christmas treat each day into an empty box or bag.

At the end of the month, your filled Reverse Advent Calendar is donated to Foothills, then distributed to people in our community who are in need of some special love and an extra hand up this Christmas.

We are able to receive these hampers up until 15 Dec. They can be dropped off at the Ferntree Gully Community Bendigo Bank or contact us to arrange
a drop-off.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support. Together we make a real difference.
You can donate at our website foothillscare.org.au/donate/

Stephen Barrington
CEO Foothills Community Care Inc