Benalla’s Ford food drive collects 200kg for local relief

Central to the campaign was Delatite Ford’s “Ranger for Good”, which travelled throughout Benalla collecting donations and helping raise awareness of the growing demand for food relief in the local community.

The Ranger visited local supermarkets, community organisations and businesses, while donations were also accepted at the Delatite Ford showroom.

The campaign concluded with a community barbecue at Delatite Ford on Saturday, October 3, giving locals one final opportunity to contribute.

Delatite Ford Dealer principal Jarred Clark said the number of donations demonstrated what could be achieved when local businesses, organisations and residents worked together.

“Whether someone donated a single tin while doing their weekly shop, organised a collection at their workplace or helped us collect and distribute donations, every contribution added up,” Mr Clark said.

“We’d like to thank everyone who supported the Food Drive and helped us turn the Ranger for Good into something that could make a genuine difference locally.”

Support came from several Benalla businesses and organisations, including Kebab Boyz, Friendly Grocer and the Bowls Club, as well as community members.

The Ranger for Good was also used to support volunteer food collections, including a trip to Shepparton FoodShare, before the food was unloaded at Waminda Community House.

Waminda Community House manager Leeane Bullard said the campaign demonstrated the strength of collaboration between local food relief organisations.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Delatite Ford and to everyone across Benalla who contributed,” she said.

“Every donated item helps local organisations continue supporting people and families across our community who need a little extra help.

“The main benefit has been the collaboration between all the different food relief providers.

“Rather than working and doing things independently, we're much more collaborative and sharing ... all the food that was donated is going to go to different food relief groups around Benalla.”

Ms Bullard also thanked Lisa Brassington from the Benalla Community Food Collective for co-ordinating the campaign from the collective’s end.

“These community drives take the effort of our volunteers, but also the generosity of businesses, everyone does it out of the goodness of their heart, so it’s just a really lovely thing to see community coming together for it,” she said.

Mr Clark said the final tally was about more than the number on the scales.

“The 200kg is something we can all be proud of, but one of the biggest positives has been bringing greater attention to the organisations and volunteers who provide this support in Benalla all year round,” he said.

Delatite Ford and Ms Bullard also thanked Coles and Woolworths Benalla, community organisations, volunteers and local businesses that helped provide collection opportunities, promote the campaign and encourage donations.

The Ford Global Food Drive formed part of Ford’s broader commitment to supporting communities around the world, with Delatite Ford choosing to focus its efforts locally through the Benalla Community Food Collective.

The Benalla Community Food Collective brings local organisations together to improve food security across Benalla through co-ordinated food relief, food share pantries, community meals, volunteer training and community connection initiatives.

Its members include Waminda Community House, The Salvation Army, The Welcome Kitchen, Uniting Church, Benalla Health, Benalla District Social Inclusion Action Group, the Centre for Continuing Education Inc. and Benalla Homelessness Response Group Inc.