Despite the growth in the MPF education work and the increasing engagement we have with leaders in the sector, we remain closely connected to individuals and small organisations on the Peninsula.
Our small grants program runs continuously with generous donor funds and, as may not surprise you, with cost of living continuing to rise food security remains an issue.
Community Support Centres, schools who keep freezers stocked with sandwiches, after school programs operating in make shift places, all tell us providing food, especially to children, is a key part of what they do.
Yet we also know there is a lot of waste in food production and distribution. This is not a new issue and a number of organisations are working very hard to tackle this. We don’t necessarily have the answers but are always open to new ideas. Recently, one such idea came from our Founder and Chairman Ian Hicks AO.
Ian had an oversupply of avocados at his Shoreham farm; with his personal knowledge and understanding of the needs in the community, he turned this supply problem into a demand solution. Using MPF as the conduit he had the fruit picked and packed and collected by SecondBite, one of Australia’s largest food relief organisations and very active on the Peninsula.
30,000 beautiful fruits were packed in boxes and taken to the central collection centres. From there they will be distributed through the vast SecondBite network, including to organisations on the Peninsula.
As many of you will know, Ian made the amazing commitment of ten year funding for core running costs for MPF when we were set up in 2017. This rarely seen visionary philanthropy has enabled this organisation to take time, find drivers of social inequity, build relationships, partnerships, funding streams and business plans that provide systemic solutions.
Ian is a practical guy and could see there wasn’t much point in fruits rotting on the ground when families were going hungry.
MPF has grown a strong and practical network of people and organisation who are committed to working together to solve problems that limit opportunities for children, young people and families. We are always open to ideas, there are no silly ones, just ones that haven’t been aired yet. Get in touch if you’d like to chat - or if you’ve got more than you need.
Shout out SecondBite - you rock!
