Randa Beirouti, along with 70 volunteers, runs a food service in the west which provides 400 meals a week for those in need.
“In the last three to four months we have noticed numbers skyrocket,” she said.
“We used to see 150 community members come to us for help, last Monday we saw close to 300.”
Ms Beirouti said the service is used to seeing a few regulars who come each week, but now they are also seeing many new faces.
“We have been getting a lot of international students as well people from Footscray, Yarraville, Sunshine, Werribee and Melton.
“The level of need is totally out of control.”
Reaching Out in the Inner West of Melbourne is among the many food services in Melbourne seeing an influx in the winter, which Ms Beirouti said has been a challenge.
“I don’t know how much further it can go, we have seen interest rates, rental prices increase, utilities, petrol and food increases.”
The service ensures people get a week’s supply of food, as the service is run once a week every Monday night at the Nicholson Street Mall.
“Everyone who comes gets home cooked meals, bread, fresh produce as well as drinks,” she said.
“We try to ensure that people have enough staff to last them the week, some people come with trolleys and other people leave with four bags full.”
Ms Beirouti is working seven days a week to keep the service running.
“The community volunteers and organisations are amazing, it’s really all about selfless service and taking care of vulnerable members of the community is what it’s all about.”
Jennifer Pittorino
