COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The PAYCE Foundation is dedicated to assisting groups that help build stronger communities.
Over the past 12 months, the Foundation has again assisted charities in the medical, education and youth sectors. Following the COVID-19 lockdown, the Foundation also mobilised its resources to provide specific support to the vulnerable and isolated. COVID-19 response: Melrose Park Meal Share The Melrose Park Meal Share was established in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering meals to people doing it tough. PAYCE Foundation social enterprise Kick Start prepared the meals and delivered them to recipients, with the assistance of the local community and volunteers. In 2020, the Melrose Park Meal Share delivered 15,000 free meals to 166 recipients. COVID-19 lockdown 2021 When COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were re-imposed following the Delta variant outbreak, the Meal Share service was reactivated in July. The service covered Melrose Park to Rydalmere, Ermington, West Ryde, Denistone, Marsfield and nearby suburbs. A special delivery was also made to the Sydney Street Choir members. The service targeted the elderly, people in isolation, key workers, the recently unemployed, struggling families, vulnerable individuals and those with a disability. They received a meal for every day of the week. Community leaders identified people who might benefit from the meal service. PAYCE Foundation Director James Boyd said the scheme was an outstanding success. “This was a great team effort, from the Kick Start staff led by Paul Borghetti and Shane Hillard in the kitchen,’’ Mr Boyd said. “When we started the Meal Share service, we thought the lockdown might last just a few weeks. We certainly didn’t think it would last over three months. “There was genuine hardship in the community and there is no doubt, based on the feedback we received, the food deliveries made life a little easier for those battling the isolation. I would particularly like to thank the Melrose Park community and all the volunteers who helped us deliver the meals to those in need.’’ Meal Share numbers 15,007 Total meals 1000 Average meals per week 157 Number of households 262 Total recipients
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