We are reaching out to share some important updates regarding our family Not for Profit charity and the challenges we’ve encountered with the City of Casey Council. For many years, we have poured our hearts into supporting those in need within our community, providing food and assistance to some of the most vulnerable individuals.

It has been a journey filled with dedication and love, and while we’ve seen incredible support from various corners, we’ve also faced a few hurdles along the way. Five years ago, we had to adapt when our home-based food relief program was unfortunately shut down, despite the significant impact we were having in supporting 50-100 families and over 450 homeless individuals each week. It was a tough transition, but we were fortunate to find space through the generous support of Apex Steel, allowing us to continue our mission. 

Over the past 6 years, we've been able to grow our reach, now providing for over 7,000 people every week and offering help to many in need, including survivors of domestic violence, the elderly, children, and those experiencing homelessness. We truly enjoy organizing community events that bring joy to families, such as our Christmas and Halloween celebrations for over 2,000 children each year. Our commitment to responding during emergencies, like bushfires and floods, has allowed us to play a vital role when our community needs it most. 

However, we’ve encountered some challenges from the Casey Council in requiring permits that we feel we need to address. Recently, one local business owner expressed concerns about our operations, leading to a re-evaluation of our status. Despite our best efforts to maintain clear driveways, control parking and adopt good relations, the Council has responded in a way that feels disheartening. To continue our mission peacefully, we invested in professional town planners to help navigate the new requirements, which has taken significant time and resources to the sum of $45,000.

Unfortunately, the conditions imposed have felt quite challenging. We’ve been asked to ensure –

• Driveways must always remain clear, and clients may only park for 15 minutes, or WE will be fined.

• No deliveries from the amazing organisations that donate and sponsor us with food donations to be able to assist the community are allowed during business hours.

• All rubbish bins, including red bins with food waste, must be stored inside near food. (A health hazard.)

• Our forklift and delivery truck cannot operate on our driveway.

• No future community events such as Christmas celebrations, Halloween, pancake or burger days, R U OK? Day, even after hours when all businesses are closed.

• No emergency assistance for fires or floods, despite our proven record of helping in disasters for the past 6 years.

Throughout this journey, we have continuously sought to uphold our values and serve the community without receiving financial support or funding from the Council. We rely on the generosity of our community because we truly believe in the importance of local support. 

We want to express our heartfelt commitment not just to our charity, but to the thousands of individuals who count on us for nourishment and hope. Together, we can ensure that the homeless, struggling families, the elderly, survivors of domestic violence, and children can continue to find solace in our services and celebrate the holidays with joy. If you resonate with the values of kindness, compassion, and fairness, we would deeply appreciate your support by signing our Petition.

Your voice can make a wonderful difference in amplifying our mission and shining a light on the importance of our work in the community. We remain dedicated to pushing forward hopefully with the City of Casey’s assistance and support, we truly believe that Us working together, we can accomplish so much more. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Let’s continue working together to uplift our community!