People of all ages and from all walks of life often say they want to make a difference to the society in which they live.
Some people, having lived a long and fulfilling life, hold the desire to “give back” to their community.
Others, usually the younger generation venturing out of the nest or the older, mid-life crisis set, ponder what it is like to do something worthwhile with their lives.
Now and again, a truly inspirational idea comes along that sparks the imagination and pulls on the heartstrings.
Such is the case with the Love Food Hate Waste movement and new Food Donation Tool Kit.
The tool kit – to help businesses donate food to charity that would otherwise be wasted – was launched in Sydney yesterday by Maitland MP and O’Farrell government minister Robyn Parker and founder of the action group Do Something! Jon Dee.
The tool kit will be of use to restaurants, cafes, food markets, farmers, food manufacturers, food distributors, retailers and wholesalers.
Right here in Maitland’s backyard we have a fantastic example of a business prepared to help the needy; UR1 Patisserie in Pender Place has been donating leftover food to community groups everyday for five years.
Australia is the so-called lucky country.
The reality, however, is that many Australians, including men, women and children in the Maitland area, go to bed hungry every night.
And many of them are caught in a cycle of poverty they will find very difficult to escape without outside help.
Many charities are themselves at breaking point and the number of requests for help they receive far outstrips the goods and services they have to give.
The Love Food Hate Waste movement is a no-
nonsense operation that cuts through red tape, stops tonnes of food being dumped as landfill and puts meals on the tables of the hungry.
And the new tool kit promises to be a valuable resource for everyone who strives to make a difference.
Congratulations to all involved.