About 500 sandwiches have been prepared for local school children after Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary Club volunteers and State MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to support Eat Up Australia.
“Under the expert guidance of the Rotarians, we managed to make about 500 sandwiches in record time,” Mr Chester said.
“It was a terrific team effort and a reminder of how much can be achieved when local volunteers come together to support their community.”
Eat Up Australia provides free school lunches to children who may otherwise go without, supporting students experiencing disadvantage and helping ensure hunger does not become another barrier to learning.
Mr Chester said the program was providing practical support to children and families doing it tough.
“Sadly, there are children who arrive at school without lunch, and that can have a real impact on their ability to concentrate, learn and get through the day,” Mr Chester said.
“In a perfect world, services like Eat Up Australia wouldn’t be needed, but many children come from homes experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, family violence or other difficult circumstances.
“Making sure those children have something to eat at school is a simple but incredibly important way of supporting their wellbeing and education.”
Eat Up Australia currently supports about 1300 schools across the country, including schools in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.
“Full credit to the Traralgon Rotary Club volunteers and everyone involved with Eat Up Australia for the work they are doing to make sure local children don’t go hungry at school,” Mr Chester said.
“It is practical, compassionate community service at its best.”
Pictured: Eat Up Regional Coordinator, Victoria, Arielle Rodrick, with Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and state colleague Member for Morwell Martin Cameron who joined Traralgon Rotary Club volunteers to make sandwiches for local students.
