Help on wheels  the bikers revving up support for Foodbank

The funds are greatly appreciated. “A huge big thank you from all of us here in Morwell,” says Julie Pawley, manager at the Community Food Centre. “This is an amazing show of community helping community. The money that has been donated to the centre will help us support the increasing number of people seeking out food.” 

 As the fuel crisis becomes a food crisis, the Morwell CFC has seen a surge in demand for food relief. Every week, more than 150 families – referred by local charity organisations and schools – come to the centre for a free shop from Tuesday to Thursday. We’re now distributing more food, and seeing more and more new faces, people reaching out for food support for the first time in their lives. 

 Noel, one of the Tourers, says the CFC program has been a boon. He comes to the centre once a month to load up his pantry with much-needed supplies. “It’s a good variety of food… everything you need for the house. I can’t say enough for it,” he says. “They’re very friendly people here – and if you’re doing it hard, they’ll look after you.” 

 Dave Watts, the recently retired president of Us & Them Tourers’ Morwell chapter, is also a regular, volunteering at the centre three days a week, bringing orders out to charity partners, stocking shelves, cleaning up and doing “anything that needs to be done”. 

“I like giving back,” he says, “because I was one of those people who had to utilise the service. I had double knee replacements and I couldn’t work. It puts me in a good mood because I’m active and I’m doing something – and I enjoy working with the crew here. It’s very rewarding.”

For many of the Tourers, it’s their first visit to the centre. Julie takes them on tour of the facility. Through the community supermarket, with aisles stocked with pantry essentials, cleaning items and hygiene products. Tubs full of fresh fruit and veg. And the chiller with yoghurt, fresh milk, cheese, pasta and other ready-to-eat meals.  

 The bikers take a seat in the community cafe, to enjoy a cuppa – and a slice of carrot cake or Cherry Ripe chocolate cake baked by volunteers as a thank you to the club. They send their compliments to the chefs.  

 “This is such a good program for the community,” says Dave. “I think it’s even more important now, because everything is tightening with the fuel crisis. It’s hurting a lot of people, and you see the community suffers. And Foodbank gives people that bit of hope, which is really good.”

As the Us & Them Tourers roll out, their thunderous machines sound a lot like a round of applause. A noisy acknowledgement of the work they’re doing for their community. It’s food angels like this crew that keep the wheels turning at Foodbank. If you’ve ever thought about pulling on your own wings and fundraising to help us feed 76,000 people every day, it’s super simple. You can do whatever you love to do: host a movie night, run in a banana suit, hold a bake sale…