In September 2020, Yarraville Community Centre along with five other neighbourhood houses came together to launch a pilot program to combat food insecurity. They called it, The Nourish Project. The initiative was designed to rescue surplus food and turn it into nutritious meals for community members doing it tough. Five years on, and Yarraville Community Centre has since prepared and distributed over 50,000 meals to people in need.
The Nourish Project has assisted thousands of community members and it’s a service that YCC is so proud to deliver because of the collective efforts of businesses, volunteers and donations. Every Monday, a dedicated team of volunteers, along side a skilled chef, gather in the YCC kitchen to create a variety of wholesome dishes, which are then frozen and distributed.
In 2023, YCC was fortunate to be a recipient of the Victorian Government’s West Gate Neighbourhood Fund Active Community Grants, which provided YCC with funding to go towards significant upgrades to the kitchen facilities. These included new counters, ovens, and cook tops being installed. These advancements will ensure the centre is equipped to continue the support it provides to the community. In celebration of the completion of these capital works, YCC welcomed Mayor Cr Pradeep Tiwari, Mayor of City of Maribyrnong, Emily Alvis from the Westgate Neighbourhood Fund, Rupert North from Maribyrnong City Council, Jan Lynch from Hue and Space, amongst others who have contributed to bringing this project to fruition and to commemorate these upgrades with a morning tea.
The Nourish Project exists because of the support of Food Bank Victoria, local businesses and individual donations offering surplus food. Without this vital care and generosity, this project would not exist.
If you would like to donate any food or pantry staples or volunteer within The Nourish Project, please get in touch with Yarraville Community Centre on 9687 1560 / info@ycc.net.au.
If you are in need of food relief, you can contact one our centres by calling ahead to ensure meals are available.
Yarraville Community Centre, Yarraville
59 Francis Street, Yarraville
Please call YCC on 9687 1560 to arrange a time to collect frozen meals.
Braybrook and Maidstone Neighbourhood House
113 Melon St, Braybrook
Please call 9317 5610 to arrange a time to collect frozen meals.
Duke Street Community House
27 Duke St, Sunshine
Please call 9311 9973 to arrange a time to collect frozen meals.
