Metcash grocery chain IGA is sponsoring one of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s soup van services with non-perishable groceries.
This pilot scheme aims to help counter the increasing food poverty faced by many inner-city Victorians.
Vinnies Victoria’s Fitzroy-Collingwood Soup Van Hub is a Covid-19-safe service delivering vital contactless food hampers and parcels.
The Victorian-based sponsorship will see IGA provide non-perishable items including baked beans, pasta, instant noodles, tinned vegetables, tuna, soup and water to be included in hampers packed at Vinnies’ Fitzroy-Collingwood Food Hub.
More than 130 volunteers will deliver the hampers to people in need – and will be assisted in packing the hampers by IGA volunteers when Covid-19 restrictions safely allow.
IGA retailers are rallying together for the initiative.
Victorian IGA franchisee Joseph Piedimonte who operates the Piedemonte’s Supa IGA North Fitzroy supermarket said “At IGA, giving back and looking after the locals wherever possible sits at the heart of everything we do. We knew we had to do more given the current situation for many Victorians and are thrilled to extend our relationship with Vinnies and further support people in our local communities who are doing it really tough.”
Vinnies Victoria Soup Van manager Sarah Cromie said “We are proud to partner with IGA whose stores are in most of the communities we support. Many families and individuals in Melbourne are under intense financial hardship and uncertain job prospects due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 and we have seen a doubling of demand on some of our services recently.
“For thousands of Australians, the coronavirus crisis means that, for the first time, they’re struggling to get food on the table and thanks to our friends at IGA, we are able to continue to support people and communities in need.
“In July, the Collingwood and Fitzroy Soup Van served more than 16,500 people with food through hampers or individual meals.”
IGA has had a national partnership with Vinnies for 10 years during its annual Christmas Appeal, which raises much-needed funds to support people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage during the festive season.
