Volunteers to Operate Recovery Distribution Centre
Published on 15 January 2020
Volunteers to Operate Recovery Distribution Centre
Snowy Valleys Council has handed over operations at the Tumut Boys Club Hall recovery distribution centre to representatives from local Tumut charities.
The centre opened on Sunday 5 January to distribute donated food and essentials to those affected by bushfires across the region. In a little over a week, volunteers and Council staff working at the centre received, sorted and shipped over 300 tonne of goods to those in need.
Mayor James Hayes praised the volunteers who have worked so hard to make the operation a success thus far.
“Community volunteers have worked tirelessly alongside council staff and emergency services personnel to get supplies to those in need. They have unloaded trucks, packed care packages, and carried countless slabs of water and they are to be commended,” Clr Hayes said.
From Tuesday 14 January, Tumut’s St Vincent de Paul will be the lead agency managing operations at the Boys Club Hall, supported by Tumut Community Pantry and members of the local community.
“With the support of St Vincent de Paul and Tumut Community Pantry, our community volunteers will continue to ensure that the centre operates as an important part of the recovery process and Council is grateful to our local charities for their eagerness to be involved in this initiative,” Clr Hayes said.
“The centres at the Batlow Literary Institute and the Tumbarumba Memorial Hall will continue to be operated by Snowy Valleys Council”.
Pat Mangelsdorf of St Vincent de Paul said that they were keen to be involved in recovery efforts. “We see a need, and do something about it in a non-judgementaland inclusive way. St Vincent de Paul are here to help our community wherever we can”.
Sue Fisher from the Tumut Community Pantry said, “The Tumut Community Pantry is a Combined Churches enterprise to help people in our communities who are in need of basic food items. We are here to support those in our community who need it most, and see this as a natural extension of our normal operations. We are proud to be part of this initiative”.
The hall will be open from 9am -12pm each day from Tuesday 14 until Monday 20 January to support those who need assistance through this time of recovery.
“I'd like to thank all those who donated goods to the centres, our region has been overwhelmed by your generosity however we've now reached capacity for donated food and goods,” said Clr Hayes.
“Any donated items remaining after Monday 20th January will be distributed to local charities for them to continue to assist those in need across the Snowy Valleys region.
“We encourage anyone affected by the region’s bushfires who needs assistance to visit support centres at the Tumut Boys Club Hall, the Batlow Literary Institute and the Tumbarumba Memorial Hall”.
To contact St Vincent de Paul, please phone 0401 472 161.