Delivering the good

RACV employees deliver more than 30,000 meals to vulnerable Victorians.

Three months after launching RACV's emergency goods assist program in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, RACV employees have delivered a milestone 30,000 meals to vulnerable communities across Victoria.  

Since its launch in March, the service has supported more than 30 community organisations struggling to cope with increased demand, reduced food supply and fewer volunteers, starting with deliveries around Melbourne and extending throughout Victoria to increase the reach to other communities impacted by COVID-19 and in some cases last summer’s catastrophic bushfires.

The nutritious meals are prepared and packaged at RACV kitchens under the leadership of executive chef Jason Camillo and delivered to community organisations that support vulnerable and marginalised Victorians.

“RACV has been supporting the community for 117 years,” says RACV chief of staff Louise Steinfort, “and today it’s more important than ever to be there for Victorians. 

“This year has seen communities devastated by bushfires and now living with the impacts of the COVID pandemic. In times of hardship and increased food insecurity, we are proud to do our part in helping those who need it most.”

The 30,000th meal was delivered to Melbourne City Mission last week. Its chief executive officer Vicki Sutton says the emergency goods assist service has been critical to continue supporting young families as well as young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“We’ve seen growing isolation and disconnection in the community at this time and especially among our young people and families who are experiencing homelessness,” says Vicki.

“The nutritious meals delivered by the RACV are an opportunity for them to sit down and reconnect during these stressful times and help to take some of the worry out of thinking about where their next meal will come from. 

“The RACV emergency and goods assist service has provided much-needed relief for so many community services organisations like Melbourne City Mission at a time when demand for support is at an all-time high and when so many are left unable to source their own food and supplies.”

To continue supporting communities, RACV has expanded the service to regional areas including Gippsland, Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Ballarat, Shepparton and the Mornington Peninsula.