news, local-news, donation, meals on wheels, Griffith, toy run
Griffith residents are being encouraged to participate in a food and toy run on Saturday, December 12. The run is being organised by Janelle Smith and her husband Robert, who are hoping to provide a small spark of joy at the end of a tough 12 months. "This year's been a really s--- year for so many people," Mrs Smith said. "So many people have lost their jobs or had their hours cut, and we hope this will help bring the community back together." Mrs Smith was adamant that any little bit will help. "By the time people pay their mortgage or rent, there's not much left to pay for food and toys," she said. "Even a box of Coco Pops can be someone's breakfast for a week ... and it sounds crazy that a two dollar bottle of water can help someone else, but it will." Those looking to participate are encouraged to bring non-perishable food, new toys and anything they think might help someone in need to the Fairey Firefly plane monument at 2pm on the day. MORE NEWS | Taking care of our four-legged friends in the heat Those who donated and anyone else who is keen are then invited to join a convoy cruising around Griffith at 3pm. Mrs Smith said this will offer people a chance to "rolls the windows down, get a bit of wind in their hair, put music on, and just relax and forget about this hard year for a minute or two". The Smith's own R & J Smith Transport, and after the event, a company truck will bring the donations to Meals on Wheels, for it to distributed to those in need within the community. Meals on Wheels co-ordinator Tennille Valensisi, said she was blown away when Mrs Smith came to her with the idea for the run. RELATED | Meals on Wheels host volunteer appreciation luncheon "It's fantastic that somebody just from the community, who we've had dealings with in the past with freight, has just approached us and said 'I want to do this'," Mrs Valensisi said. And the run could not have come at a better time. "Earlier this week we had a freezer failure," she said. "It meant that we had to throw out all of our frozen meal stock, so we lost about $15,000 worth of food." "To a not-for-profit organisation like Meals on Wheels, it's a huge blow." But despite the setback, she was excited by the opportunity presented by the food and toy run. The donated items will also be distributed through the Hampers of Hope program. R & J Smith Transport is donating money directly to Meals on Wheels, and Mrs Smith said she hopes other businesses will follow suit. To donate to Meals on Wheels, visit their website. MORE NEWS
GIVING: Meals on Wheels coordinator Tennille Valensisi, food and toy run organiser Janelle Smith, and R & J Smith Transport volunteer Brendon Adams. PHOTO: Monty Jacka
Griffith residents are being encouraged to participate in a food and toy run on Saturday, December 12.
The run is being organised by Janelle Smith and her husband Robert, who are hoping to provide a small spark of joy at the end of a tough 12 months.
"This year's been a really s--- year for so many people," Mrs Smith said. "So many people have lost their jobs or had their hours cut, and we hope this will help bring the community back together."
MEETING PLACE: Those looking to participate should bring their donations to the Fairey Firefly plane monument carpark at 2pm on December 12. PHOTO: Monty Jacka
Mrs Smith was adamant that any little bit will help.
"By the time people pay their mortgage or rent, there's not much left to pay for food and toys," she said.
"Even a box of Coco Pops can be someone's breakfast for a week ... and it sounds crazy that a two dollar bottle of water can help someone else, but it will."
Those looking to participate are encouraged to bring non-perishable food, new toys and anything they think might help someone in need to the Fairey Firefly plane monument at 2pm on the day.
Those who donated and anyone else who is keen are then invited to join a convoy cruising around Griffith at 3pm.
Mrs Smith said this will offer people a chance to "rolls the windows down, get a bit of wind in their hair, put music on, and just relax and forget about this hard year for a minute or two".
The Smith's own R & J Smith Transport, and after the event, a company truck will bring the donations to Meals on Wheels, for it to distributed to those in need within the community.
Meals on Wheels co-ordinator Tennille Valensisi, said she was blown away when Mrs Smith came to her with the idea for the run.
"It's fantastic that somebody just from the community, who we've had dealings with in the past with freight, has just approached us and said 'I want to do this'," Mrs Valensisi said.
And the run could not have come at a better time.
"Earlier this week we had a freezer failure," she said. "It meant that we had to throw out all of our frozen meal stock, so we lost about $15,000 worth of food."
"To a not-for-profit organisation like Meals on Wheels, it's a huge blow."
But despite the setback, she was excited by the opportunity presented by the food and toy run.
The donated items will also be distributed through the Hampers of Hope program.
R & J Smith Transport is donating money directly to Meals on Wheels, and Mrs Smith said she hopes other businesses will follow suit.
