Celebrity soup is appealing

By Chilli Anderson

The Feed Melbourne campaign wrapped up in Docklands on June 26 with a soup lunch to raise funds for struggling food charities.

In collaboration with 30 of Melbourne’s top chefs, the not-for-profit organisation FareShare hopes to give up to $10,000 to more than 30 Melbourne food charities this year.

Located on the corner of Bourke St and the Harbour Esplanade, each chef cooked 40 litres of soup for the lunch appeal at $5 per cup – and a roll could be added for an extra gold coin donation.

FareShare CEO Marcus Godinho was among the volunteers helping with the campaign.

“For quality soup that’s pretty cheap if you ask me,” Mr Godinho said. “This campaign is powered by donations and volunteers. Every dollar is tax deductible and every cent goes to a food charity,” added Mr Godinho, who seemed very pleased with the turnout.

More than two million Australians a year turn to food charities for support.

Food charities nominate for grants and funds will be distributed on a needs basis. Funds could go towards new facilities or even a pantry but, inevitably, will help more struggling Australian families.

Most food charities focus their efforts on the homeless and unemployed. This is an area in which FareShare and Feed Melbourne are unique. They focus their funds and resources on the ever-growing trend of the working poor.

“These people and families work, but struggle to sometimes put nutritious food on the table. These are the people we are trying to help,” Mr Godinho said.

FareShare rescues surplus quality food from supermarkets and other local food sources.

For more information on Feed Melbourne or FareShare visit http://www.feedmelbourne.org.au and http://www.fareshare.net.au