Blacktown City Council closed its aquatic and leisure centres to the public last month as a consequence of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
The closures left the food and drink outlets at the venues with a stock of food items and rather than it going to waste Council looked for opportunities to help those in need in the community.
Staff from Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope, Riverstone Swimming Centre and Mount Druitt Swim Centre organised for their perishable food items to be sent to Foodbank Australia at Glendenning.
Foodbank teams up with local charities to supply vital relief programs such as community pantries, dining halls, mobile soup vans, emergency hampers and breakfast or lunch programs in schools.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “Year in year out our friends at Foodbank do a fantastic job of feeding the vulnerable in our community.
“Now more than ever people need help and seeing this food go to where it is needed is something Council was more than happy to be involved in.”
The range of non-perishables items donated included fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, frozen foods, biscuits and drinks.
Foodbank’s Natalie Nugara with George Nicolaides from Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope at the Foodbank warehouse in Glendenning.
