Young Food Hall In Its 9th Year

In a climate of world instability, Young Food Hall (YFH) has provided some relief to people struggling to make ends meet since it opened its doors in 2013.

As of September 14, YFH commenced its 9th year of operation and recent hikes in the cost of living have made the service more vital than ever. Amid rising interest rates, rent, utility charges, and food prices, the YFH continues to provide ongoing assistance to residents struggling with the effects of these increased financial demands.

The Food Hall was seen as a priority for the founding committee back in 2013 and it was determined then to make it a major project.

It took just 11 months to have it up and running after Lambing Flat Enterprises became the auspice and gave the project access to part of their building at 100 Main Street.

It had been noted at several meetings that the demand on welfare groups at the time was great. Vinnies, The Salvation Army and St John’s Anglican Church were struggling to keep pace with demand given their restricted budgets for welfare assistance.

Young Food Hall was established to empower people and to offer them a hand-up rather than a hand-out.

It was also intended to be a social outlet, with the weekly visits becoming a place to meet and chat over a free morning tea.

While COVID-19 put a stop to the social aspect, the Food Hall continued to trade through the pandemic in accordance with appropriate restrictions in place.

By offering a fee-based service for food, as either a one-off occurrence or for ongoing weekly relief, residents of the Hilltops have the opportunity to take home up to 11 items of food for $10, plus items from the free table, including fruit and vegetables, bread, meat and eggs.

People living in the Hilltops Council area and are on a Centrelink concession card, or who have been referred by a service provider, are eligible to utilise the Food Hall.

Without donations from Woolworths, Aldi, local farmers and members of the general public, the Food Hall wouldn’t be as successful as it is.

Hennessy College dropped into the YFH to contribute items assembled and donated by students recently.

YFH is run entirely by volunteers who lend their services a couple of days each week, at a minimum, to ensure the doors are ready to open on Wednesday morning.

The service operates each Wednesday from 9am to 12noon.

• Topics:

• Food
• Fundraising and Charitable Causes
• Community Groups