Every Wednesday for over 26 years, the volunteers at Torquay Food Aid (TFA) have been helping the community in and around Victoria’s Surf Coast. Originally started by Torquay Christian Fellowship, (TCF) this ministry has been operating out of the Barwon Health facility in Torquay but due to COVID-19 restrictions, is now back operating on the Torquay Christian Fellowship property.

TFA supply clients with fresh fruit and vegetables, non-perishable food items, bread, eggs, and some pre-cooked chef meals that, this year, have been supplied by the RACV.  Food is donated to TFA by many generous companies including Bakers Delight, Geelong Food Relief Centre, Second Bite, Spring Creek Farm, Zeally Bay Sourdough, IGA Torquay and the list goes on. In addition to donations from food manufacturers and retailers, TFA is supported by personal donations from the congregation of Torquay Christian Fellowship.

Recipients of Torquay Food Aid express genuine appreciation to the volunteer team who regularly hear comments such as “I can feed myself and my family this week – thankyou so much”

During 2020 client numbers have increased between 10-20% as more people have endured increased financial stress during the coronavirus pandemic.  As the Federal Governments JobKeeper assistance program winds down in 2021, the TFA team expect the need to rise even further. This year, in an effort to keep numbers physically coming into this ministry, the team has been making personal deliveries dropped to clients doors, but expect that as restrictions ease, ‘normal’ operations where clients come in to ‘shop’ the shelves for themselves to resume.

TFA is a registered charity with DGR1 (Deductible Gift Receipt) Status with the ATO. The volunteer team is comprised of a number of community organisations including people from TCF, headed up by Michael Buckley.