Chris Crewther (Dunkley, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Social and financial disadvantage is prevalent right across Australia, despite our best efforts as a community to prevent it. In Dunkley, we are incredibly fortunate to have an amazing network of volunteers who provide meals to the homeless and disadvantaged in the absence of City Life, which unfortunately, was unable to continue. Locally, I am working with a number of providers to find a long-term solution to provide meals to the homeless, particularly via Chisholm TAFE. Luckily, a number of local organisations have stepped up to meet the demand. One of these groups is Life-Gate, whom I recently secured $10,500 for, through the Stronger Communities program, for a mobile food trailer. The tireless volunteers who patrol our streets at night to provide the disadvantaged with free meals will now have access to a trailer that is fully equipped with a barbecue, a coffee machine, soup vats, storage for table and chairs, an extendable awning and a generator.

I was very proud to officially launch the Meals for Change trailer, bringing to a close the funding campaign supported by Karingal Hub, Bayside Shopping Centre, Frankston Business Network, St Kilda Football Club, Frankston City Council and the community through a GoFundMe campaign. I'm so proud of the way everyone has pulled together in the spirit of community. I congratulate Reverend Angel Roldan, Pastor Ulli Roldan, Lauren Hornby and others at Life-Gate for their terrific efforts to secure the Meals for Change trailer.