Brethren charity, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), is partnering up with councils and crisis organisations across North-West Tasmania to deliver hundreds of donated Food Boxes to vulnerable families. 

These people in crisis include those who may need to self-quarantine, children in need, and families suffering from domestic violence. 

To get the ball rolling, Federal Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce MP, purchased 160 Food Boxes, matched dollar-for-dollar by RRT, for a total of 320 Food Boxes donated to the wider Tassie community.

Hundreds of Food Boxes continue to be safely packed exclusively by RRT volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), to be delivered to individuals and families all across Tasmania.

The Federal Member for Braddon said the RRT Food Boxes are desperately needed in regional Tasmania.

“RRT have been busy during the fires, the floods, and now the covid-19 pandemic, and I can’t thank them enough for their ongoing support of the people across the north-west, west coast and King Island,” Mr Pearce said.

“I’m delighted that I could team up with RRT to roll out the Food Box initiative in our region to get food on the table for those in need at the time they need it most”.

RRT Managing Director Ron Arkcoll said care and compassion were at the core of RRT’s outreach programs and said they were thrilled to be able to offer a small gesture of help to those who needed it.

“While we know the covid-19 crisis continues to throw up never-before-seen challenges for us all, we are so humbled to be able to provide a small amount of relief to Tassie families,” he said.

“Our volunteers will continue to step up to the challenge and are committed to supporting our local communities through these tough times.

“Whether that’s filling a family pantry with some staple food items or putting a smile on the face of a neighbour – from an appropriate distance! – we hope these small gestures go towards providing relief.

“I want to thank the Federal Member for Braddon, Mr. Gavin Pearce and the Burnie City Council for their assistance and for always putting the people of Braddon first,” he said.

The RRT have also put the call out to other councils and crisis organisations across Tasmania – currently 8 have expressed interest in purchasing Food Boxes to distribute to their local communities.

Burnie City Council Mayor, Steve Kons, said “I want to personally thank the Federal Member for Braddon, Gavin, and RRT for helping us take care of those who need a little help here in Burnie and the surrounds”.

“These 320 boxes will mean the world to 320 local families who will have one less burden to think about when it comes to feeding their families this week,” he said.

RRT is currently providing Food Boxes to vulnerable people in other states, including Queensland and New South Wales, having now delivered over 3,641 Food Boxes to Aussies in need.

If you live in Tasmania and need support, please call Burnie City Council or Devonport Council so your situation can be assessed and support organised should you qualify. Any further enquiries should be directed to the Rapid Relief Team.