Can you spare some pantry staples to spread the Christmas cheer this year? Tasmanian not-for-profit health insurer St.LukesHealth is joining forces with Clarence City Council and the Salvation Army to gather healthy food donations, ready to be handed out at the Clarence Christmas Brunch.
Over the coming week, eastern shore locals are encouraged to drop into the new St.LukesHealth customer care centre in Rosny Park with long-life items that form the makings of a meal.
“The annual Brunch provides everyone in our community with something to eat, somewhere to go, and someone to share Christmas with,” said The Salvation Army Clarence City Corps Officer, Major Joel Clifford. “Last year we served about 120 meals, and we also make the day special for our guests with gifts, vouchers and food hampers that can be won as lucky door prizes to take home.
“This couldn’t happen without the generous support of the local community and businesses. If you’re able, dropping off the basics for a square meal that could be put together into hampers will mean so much. Something simple where recipients can just add a couple of fresh ingredients to make a healthy dinner can make a huge difference.”
For example, a donation of pasta and sauce, rice and curry paste, or a burrito kit, along with some tinned veggies or legumes, could form the basis of a hearty meal hamper.
“St.LukesHealth is invested in the health and wellbeing of our members and the community as a whole, and good nutrition is a big preventative health focus,” said Kate Denmen, Southern Region Customer Care Manager. “That’s why we’re marking the opening of our new store by inviting people to drop off a meal donation for the Clarence Christmas Brunch, to ease the pressure on their neighbours who may need a helping hand right now.”
“We’re working towards our vision of making Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet, but that doesn’t always have to mean grand gestures – it can be as simple as facilitating community connections to make everyone’s Christmas a little brighter, and homes a little healthier.”
The new St.LukesHealth store is located at 2/7 Bayfield Street Rosny Park, and will be accepting food donations until Friday 23rd December. Currently a pop-up shopfront, it will remain open while fit-out is finalised early in the new year.
“We’re opening the Rosny Park customer care centre to meet the needs of growing eastern shore communities, who want easy access to discuss their families’ health cover needs face-to-face,” said Mrs Denmen.
With St.LukesHealth membership growing steadily as Tasmanians look to take control of their own healthcare, Hobartians can now access in-person customer service in the CBD, Kingston and on the eastern shore.