By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
MORE than 200 Cranbourne residents will be treated to a plum pudding and a side of custard this Christmas, thanks to the Lynbrook Goodstart Early Learning Centre.
Their goal was to donate enough food for 100 families to enjoy on Christmas day and with the help of food suppliers, Simply Fresh Fruit, Fastrac Foodservice and Lynbrook Coles they surpassed it.
The centre’s chef Troy Oswald, who came up with idea, said the children loved watching the “food table” grow.
“I have done a lot of travelling and to third world countries as well and I spoke to the children about how other people live and explained that not everyone gets healthy meals three times a day,” Mr Oswald said.
“So this has been a learning exercise for them as well as a huge donation to the community.”
Piling up 20 cardboard boxes full of toys, clothes, toiletries and non-perishable food for the TurningPoint Church, Goodstart director Mel Phyland said it was the church’s job to divvy up the generous goods.
“We’ve never done anything like this before and with 130 families and 25 staff we had a lot to give,” Ms Phyland said.
Majority of the food donated by the centre will be used at a TurningPoint Christmas luncheon for 250 needy families.
“I was worried we wouldn’t have enough, but it felt really good to know we will help so many,” Mr Oswald said.
“It was quite touching to see everyone bring something in, and for the children to realise not everyone will be lucky enough to have a special Christmas lunch.”
