The charity Need A Feed will soon be in a position to help more families this Christmas with the help of the Manic Organic food store in Woonona.
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The charity was gifted the store this month by a man in his 80's (who prefers to remain anonymous) who didn't want to see the shop close.
The store has been closed since August 23 because of the COVID-19 lockdown and Need A Feed will now running it as a not-for-profit business.
Manic Organic offers certified organic fresh fruit and vegetables and is committed to reducing waste.
When it reopens on December 6 all profits will go directly to help Illawarra families this Christmas.
Charity founder Shaz Harrison said the shop on the Princes Hwy will initially open three days a week to provide a range of organic grocery items to the northern Illawarra community.
It will also distribute fresh produce each week to Need A Feed's charity partners Bulli Community Centre, Darcy House, Koori Men's support group and SAHHSI for the preparation of freshly cooked meals for low-income families, people in isolation and the homeless.
The reopening coincides with Need A Feed finalising plans for a number of community support events leading into the festive season.
"We are holding a Christmas party for people in need in Globe Lane on the 16th of December from 9am to 11am with around 60 food gifts going out on that day. We also have a community dinner on December 10 from 5pm to 7pm at the Uniting Church in Bulli," Ms Harrison said.
"And every month we give away 300 personal care packs and food gifts."
Ms Harrison said the Manic Organic location provides Need A Feed with a storage space for non-perishable food and a place to cook meals and pack food hampers and care packs.
She said future plans for the location include basic training courses, community dinners, fundraising events and a meeting space for support services.
"Now we have a solid base to operate from," she said.
"We have a storage space, packing area and a kitchen where we can cook up meals for people in need with produce from the shop. We will also have basic barista courses for people looking for work who can't afford such training and basic cooking courses to give people skills that will help them in life."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
