Donations increase for Mary Mac's

Mary Mac's Place has recently received an increase in food and clothing donations, according to outgoing project coordinator Ms Robyn Schacht.

Ms Schacht said Mary Mac's Place relied on donations to serve the number of fresh, hot meals as are currently needed in the community.

"Woy Woy Woolworths have recently introduced a food rescue program where food which would otherwise be discarded is made available to organisations such as Mary Mac's Place free of charge," Ms Schacht said.

"Each week-day, volunteers from Mary Mac's Place collect many boxes of donated produce including fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and groceries which would otherwise be thrown out.

"The food rescue program has enabled the volunteers to use a wider variety of fresh produce in the nutritious meals they prepare.

"The program has supplemented the Mary Mac's Place budget with additional items such as fresh fruit being a wonderful addition to the food that is available for our companions."

Ms Schacht said the Woy Woy School for Seniors was another local group willing to help out in whatever way they could.

"Earlier this month, 24 members of the Woy Woy School for Seniors delivered boxes of tinned and packaged food and hand-knitted rugs to Mary Mac's Place," Ms Schacht.

"These retired members of our community have been busily collecting groceries and knitting rugs to assist struggling families and individuals over the bleak winter months.

"These practical gifts will make a real difference to the increasing numbers of families and individuals who are battling to pay the rent."

School for Seniors coordinator Ms Rhonda Mitchell and Peninsula Community Centre chief executive officer Mr Andrew Tuck accepted a certificate of appreciation from Mary Mac's Steering Committee members Ms Mary Scarf and Ms Kath Player and Mary Mac's Place coordinator Ms Robyn Schacht.

"This is a wonderful example of the great benefits that flow to the entire community from sharing the skills and experience of our older, retired members of the community," Ms Schacht said.

Other local groups interested in helping out can contact 0417 671 973 for more information.

Press release, 4 Jun 2010 Robyn Schacht, Mary Mac's Place