b'Food for families in crisisMembers of the Toorak Ecumenical Movement have been supporting our Food For Families campaign for many years. Toorak Uniting Church (TUC) has been In 2021, our Food For Families campaign a member of the Toorak Ecumenical marked its 30th anniversary.Movement since signing the EcumenicalThe campaign was started by the Leader Agreement in 1980. newspaper in Victoria.Together with partner churches St PetersWesley Mission Victoria then took the lead with Roman Catholic Church, St Johns Anglicanthe aim of generating more material aid to Church and the Swedish Church, members ofsupport increasing demand on services.the TUC share in Lenten Studies and worshipat Easter, Pentecost and Advent. Food For Families has continued under Uniting Through their shared commitment to helpingsince 21 UnitingCare agencies, Wesley Mission people in crisis, the churches also comeVictoria and two Uniting Church business units together each year to raise funds for non- became a single organisation in July 2017.perishable food and toiletry items to donate We want to support everyone who comes to to people in hardship. us for help, but we cant do it alone. We know The churches have been fundraising for thisthe need is there. Data from our services shows reason for over 30 years. that demand for food relief is growing with an increase in presentations of between 30-40% The Uniting team in Narre Warren were ain the past year.recipient of this generosity, receiving overFood For Families is a great way to get $1600 in goods to distribute to locals in need. together to make a real difference to the Donations like this are essential, as more peoplelives of individuals and families experiencing turn to us for help due to the challenges of thehardship and crisis throughout the year. continuing COVID-19 pandemic.'