AU – Anti-Poverty Week Festival in Rosebud, Victoria

Friday the 16th of October dawned a beautiful spring day at the Rosebud Memoral Hall 90km south of the Melbourne CBD on the Mornington Peninsula.  SalvoCare Eastern, the Eastern Victoria Division of the Salvation Army held a Community Festival activity as part of Anti-Poverty Week 2015. Community Action Week is a week-long event where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity aiming to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship suffered by many people here in Australia and overseas.

SalvoCare Eastern and a number of community support organisations such as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Advance Community College and the Rapid Relief Team, along with the Mornington Peninsula Shire, came together to host the Community Festival which gave the opportunity for an interaction with homeless people and persons living in poverty.

The Anti-Poverty Event held at Rosebud Memorial Hall attracted many likeminded community groups who each play a part in the combat against poverty

Also exhibiting were Dromana hands on Health Family Clinic, Mentis Assist, Seawinds, Clothes4U, Karingal, Mornington Peninsula Library Service and more who had stands inside the Hall to raise the awareness of poverty, and make contact with persons suffering hardship and showcase the many ways these organisations can provide some additional assistance.

Over 200 meals were served

RRT was on-site to provide free food to visitors from sausages in bread with cheese and onion to a healthy caesar salad topped with BBQ chicken. Refreshing juice, cans of Solo and water were served as drinks to complement the meal.

RRT was warmly commended for the quality and variety of food on offer

Over 200 meals were served and the refreshing salad was very well received, in keeping with the effort to ensure that people living in difficult circumstances maintain a healthy balanced diet.

RRT member Ross agrees that it takes many hands to overcome poverty

Also providing advice was an on-site veterinary service, to assist in adequate care and maintenance of the many pets, primarily dogs that provide people in difficult circumstances a companion in times of hardship and loneliness.  Judging by the amount of wagging tails and salivating mouths, the RRT food was to taste for our canine attendees as well!