SecondBite responds to communities affected by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred
SecondBite is responding to Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred by delivering emergency food hampers packed with essential, nutritious items to those in urgent need.
As soon as the cyclone had passed, we had seven pallets of SecondBite food prepared for immediate response to cyclone affected communities. Our warehouses across the country also leapt into action, delivering more pallets of emergency food hampers, which were distributed to thousands of people who needed them most.
So far, between Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland, we have delivered the equivalent of 122,222 meals to people affected by this disaster – this included pantry staples, bottled water and some fresh fruit and veg.
FareShare meals make a difference
Response will be ongoing for some weeks, and FareShare meals are often ideal for families who are struggling with a long recovery and people who have lost access to their cooking facilities.
FareShare meals are supporting disaster recovery in the Ingham community. These meals provided peace of mind and comfort to dozens of people at the Life Church, and Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre.
Together, SecondBite produce and FareShare meals have proven invaluable to the Burringilly community. Prior to the recent cyclone, the team handed out food to the local groups (as they did before the floods of 2022). And since the cyclone, we have continued to provide them with much needed food.
Cross sector collaboration
We are collaborating very closely with Foodbank Queensland, the lead State disaster agency for food, and OzHarvest, which also has vans on the ground. This means that more people can be supported more efficiently, and is a great illustration of cross sector collaboration. In NSW we are working with OzHarvest on what we can coordinate together.
How did SecondBite | FareShare sites fare?
Our SecondBite Queensland warehouse was well prepared, taking everything off the ground and ensuring none of our food was damaged. The FareShare Brisbane kitchen was packed up in advance and was spared the worst of it, sustaining only minor water/storm damage.
In a great example of our merged organisations working together, the SecondBite warehouse team members helped repair the FareShare kitchen. They also got on the tools, helping to cook more meals to assist cyclone-affected communities. A big shout out to all our team members in QLD for an incredible job.
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These communities will need our support for some time to come, as they continue to clean up following this disaster. It’s your support that enables us to respond. Please consider donating to our Emergency Appeal today. Thank you.