Waterloo generosity gets food service up and running

Doug Smith, who along with his wife Jackie has been running the centre for three years, said the money allows people to choose $25 worth of food items from the range they provide. “My estimate is that we get up to 700 people coming to the centre each week”, he told the SSH. “Most of them are over 50 but we also get younger people with drug, gambling or alcohol problems”, he said.

The donations are significant because the Centre hasn’t traditionally received funding from business and organisations. “We’re funded by the Elizabeth Street Church but we don’t get direct funding from things like the Red Shield Appeal”, Mr Smith said.

So far, the money from IGA Waterloo and the Australian Technology Park is enough for six months worth of food packs. “We would hope that some other local businesses may follow suit. The benefit of it is that the money is being spent in the local area where it’s donated, instead of going somewhere else”, he said. Chris Tippett, the Store Manager of IGA Waterloo, said the donation is part of being in the local community. “It’s a good cause because, particularly around here, there are some tough conditions for people”, he said. “These food items are certainly not luxury goods, they are real necessities”, he said. SSH

Photo: Doug Smith of the Salvation Army thanks Chris Tippett from the IGA Photo: Ali Blogg