Food Relief Response

Empower Australia’s Food Relief Centres are here to support the most vulnerable in the community.

Empower Australia is the charitable arm of Planetshakers Church. We partner with Foodbank and Fareshare in order to supply food and basic household items to help vulnerable members of the community, such as: the elderly, women referred to us from domestic violence shelters, commission housing residents, refugees, new migrants, those affected by homelessness, single mums, people experiencing economic hardship, etc.
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Aware of the stigma that can be associated with receiving ‘handouts’, the Empower team strives to set up the Food Relief Centre like a supermarket where those participating can choose their own items. Empower always endeavours to provide practical assistance in a manner that preserves dignity and builds self-respect.

We have been in operation for the past 10 years, with our main site being located in Southbank. Since Victoria declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, we have launched 4 additional emergency relief sites located in: Pakenham, Lower Plenty, Ringwood and Geelong. Presently, we provide supplies and food to nearly 1,100 people per week through our Food Relief Centres. Please note that all of our sites operate as an essential service and comply with all social distancing guidelines.

For further insight into our charity, feel free to refer to the following news sources. We were featured on Channel 9 News and highlighted by Tim Costello (Co-Chair of the Federal Government’s Charities Crisis Cabinet) on ABC Radio and featured in The Age.

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Our Food Relief Centre that is available to members of the community facing hardship or food insecurity. Our doors are open to you and we would love to help where we can, in this time of great need.

Like all of Empower’s programs, the Food Relief Centre also serves as a safe, welcoming space where individuals can find the healthy relationships and community support they need to thrive.

Distribution and Expiration

Empower Australia receives a wide variety of food and grocery items from our generous donors, many of which are nearing the end of their expiration date. Our top priority is to get these items distributed to our local communities as soon as possible.

Our guidelines are consistent with Foodbank Victoria's distribution guidelines, which can be found on their website. Furthermore, the Australian (and New Zealand) Food Safety Standards specify two types of expiry dates – ‘Best Before’ and ‘Use By’ – which are commonly found on the majority of food items available at Empower Australia and in supermarkets.

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Festive Season Closure Dates

All our Food Relief Centres will be closed for the holidays from Monday, 19th December 2022, and reopens on Sunday, 22nd January 2023. Empower Australia wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

City

412 City Road
Southbank VIC 3006
Sundays 9.30am – 1.00pm
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North East

360 Main Road
Lower Plenty VIC 3094
Sundays 9.00am – 10.00am
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East

251 Maroondah Hwy
Ringwood VIC 3134
Sundays 8.30am – 9.30am
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South East

Hillcrest Christian College
Gate 4/500 Soldiers Rd
Clyde North VIC 3978
Sundays 9.30am – 10.30am
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Geelong

Rear of 147 Marshalltown Road
Grovedale VIC 3216
Sundays 9.00am – 11.00am
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