Melissa Blackmont, Gwen Leahy and Pastor Norma Cayzer get some food together for the needy at the Cranbourne Family Support Centre.
By Sarah Schwager
A CRANBOURNE support centre is offering more help than ever as price rises and fluctuating circumstances leave families in the lurch.
Pastor Norma Cayzer, head of the Cranbourne Family Support Centre, said more people were accessing the centre now than ever before in its 12-year history.
She said Casey’s growing population, combined with interest rate rises, a rise in the price of necessities, difficult circumstances and lower job security, meant more and more people were accessing the centre’s food parcel service.
“Many of these people were on strict budgets before the recent price rises,” Pastor Cayzer said.
“Then if you factor in something else like a loss of job it can be really difficult to get by.”
Other factors include homelessness, mental illness, relationship or marriage breakdowns, a partner’s gambling debts, or a sudden illness affecting that person’s ability to work.
The head of the benevolent organisation, which last year won the Victorian Cadbury Fundraiser of the Year Award, said the centre provided food parcels every Friday from 10am to 3pm to those in need.
Pastor Cayzer said people could come down in emergencies or register on the centre’s books to receive food for a period of up to a year.
“We currently have 280 people on the books,” she said.
Food is donated fortnightly by VicRelief and Food Bank, and bread, donuts, fresh fruit and vegetables are partly donated by local businesses and partly paid for through the Turning Point Family Church congregation.
Last year the centre received a $3300 grant from the City of Casey, which also helped pay for food.
“To be on the books people need to go through a short interview where we ask how long they will need to have food for and what strategies can help them get out of their situation,” Pastor Cayzer said.
“We have a dedicated group of volunteers who pick the food up and are trained to help, and a waiting area where people can have tea or coffee and a chat. There are also relevant workshops and support groups.”
To access the Cranbourne Family Support Centre’s food parcels, drop in to the Casey Indoor Leisure Complex administration building at 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East, on Fridays from 10am to 3pm or call 5996 3048.
