Corporate Presentation
Case for Supporting the Yellow Van
We rely solely on community support
•
The Yellow Van is managed and operated by
Communities@Work (C@W).
•
C@W has strong governance, infrastructure, marketing, financial
systems and support structures to ensure the effective and
efficient delivery of the Yellow Van’s food rescue service.
•
But unlike many C@W programs, the Yellow Van receives no
government funding.
•
We rely solely on sponsors, donations, fundraising and
philanthropic support.
Our Vision
A resilient and socially inclusive community that cares for the
well-being of all.
Our Mission
To deliver quality community services of social value and
practical benefit.
Our Values
•
Trust, integrity and transparency
•
Respect for all
•
Flexibility and responsiveness
•
Quality and innovation
•
Affordability and sustainability
High Profile
•
The Yellow Van is one of our most recognised
programs.
•
It rescues high quality, excess food from more than
90 food retailers, event caterers & restaurants. A
large proportion of the food is fresh fruit and
vegetables.
•
The food is distributed free of charge to around 80
charities and refuges supporting vulnerable people
in the Canberra region.
Why is it important?
• Each year in Australia, 60,000 families go without
meals or are stressed about where their next meal
will come from.
• Meanwhile, 20% of all food produced in Australia
(over 4 million tonnes) is dumped as waste.
• The Yellow Van is ensuring that good food is not
wasted and people who need it actually get it.
Why is it important?
• Most people think that Canberrans are pretty well off.
• But many people are doing it tough!
• There are more than 30,000 people in the ACT who
rely on food relief services from welfare agencies and
charitable groups (End Hunger Report 2012).
• Over the five years to 2011, the rate of homelessness
in the ACT increased by 70%. In 2011, there were
1,785 homeless people in the ACT (ABS).
How much food do we rescue?
• Each month, the Yellow Van rescues over 20
tonnes of quality food.
• This allows charities and refuges to provide over
65,000 meals to disadvantaged people in the
community – over 2,000 meals a day.
• Since our inception in 2008, we have rescued
enough food for 2 million meals.
Who do we support?
• domestic violence refuges
• disability support services
• homeless shelters and youth centres
• mental health support groups
• agencies supporting people with drug, alcohol and
gambling issues
• school breakfast programs
• agencies supporting people experiencing financial
hardship
We are very efficient
• Our operations are very lean.
• We operate seven days a week with 3 refrigerated
vans, 5 paid staff and 40 volunteers.
• It costs less than $1 for the Yellow Van to deliver
enough food for one meal, whereas the average
budgeted food cost for a charity is $2.60 a meal.
• A financial donation to the Yellow Van therefore
generates a 164% return in value to our city’s
charities.
The benefits are wide-ranging
• The Yellow Van is value-adding socially, economically
and environmentally.
• Food donors benefit because they don’t need to
dispose of their left-over food.
• Charities benefit because they can divert funds
normally budgeted for food to other worthwhile
initiatives such as rehabilitation and training.
• People in need benefit from nutritious meals.
• The environment benefits from water savings in
food production and less waste dumped as land fill.
Addressing the environmental challenge
• According to the CSIRO, dumping a kilogram of beef
wastes 50,000 litres of water used to produce it.
• Throwing out a kilogram of white rice wastes 2,385
litres of water. Wasting a kilogram of potatoes costs
500 litres.
• In saving 20,000 kg of food each month, the YV also
saves the 20 million litres of water used to produce it.
• Food dumped as landfill produces methane, one of
the most dangerous greenhouse gases - 25 times
more potent than carbon pollution from a car.
The value of human dignity
• Perhaps the greatest value of the Yellow Van is its
impact on the well-being of the most vulnerable.
• The service adds a unique value when you see the
smiles on the faces of the charities’ staff when the food
reaches their doorstep.
• It’s the value of dignity – they know the community
cares!
Exemplary reputation
•
The Yellow Van food donors and charities have given
us the ‘tick of approval’.
•
In our most recent client satisfaction survey, 83% of
respondents gave our overall service an exceptional
score of 5/5 on a scale of 1-5, while another 11% gave
us a score of 4/5.
•
No respondents expressed any level of dissatisfaction.
What our clients say
“The Yellow Van is now part of our culture at Arcadia House – our
rehabilitation service for people wanting to stay off alcohol and other
drugs.
Having a client base which can be stigmatised by society, the clients feel
valued by the Yellow Van volunteers who care about them regardless of
their circumstances.
The food has been nothing short of spectacular. In addition, the service
has helped us save money and enhanced the health of our clients.
Thank you for this wonderful service.”
Mackenzie Clare
Manager, Harm Reduction & Residential Services, Directions ACT
What our clients say
“The effect your food delivery has had on our service has been amazing. We are
able to provide vulnerable people with great food that we simply couldn’t afford
to buy and prepare without your help.
We have seen an increase in the health and strength of clients as the benefits of
nutritionally balanced meals on a regular basis take effect. A few clients have
been able to make a transition to work and supported accommodation, in part
because of the quality of the food The Yellow Van has been able to provide.
What adds to what you do is the culture of the Yellow Van - people wanting to
serve with good grace and a cheerful attitude. That puts the ‘icing on the cake’
for us, making it a bright spot in the day whenever the Yellow Van drops by.”
The Blue Door Drop-In Centre, St Vincent de Paul
What our clients say
“ The Yellow Van is an integral part of St Benedict’s which provides practical support to
people suffering from mental illness, drug & alcohol issues, and homelessness.
The food supplied is used to create nutritious meals cooked on our premises. We can
now provide variety in our menus and distribute healthy fruit and vegetables which is
often beyond the budgets of our guests. We can also provide food more regularly so
that people do not go hungry.
The smell of roast dinners or casseroles, and occasionally desserts, makes for a
welcoming and friendly space. The Yellow Van supplies mean we can also give surprise
gifts of muffins, chocolate, cherries or blueberries – a great delight for our guests.
The real work of St Benedict’s comes from the relationships we develop. We provide a
place of refuge and nurture....and sharing quality food is a part of that hospitality.”
Elaine Lollback, Co-ordinator, St Benedict’s Community Day Centre
What our clients say
“The Yellow Van has become a very valuable partner for Uniting Care Kippax.
Our clients are so grateful to receive food from your agency. The look on
their faces when we can offer fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meat,
says it all. I gave three porterhouse steaks to one client who responded by
saying, “How do you cook these? I have never had one in my life!”
The Yellow Van has enabled us to empower people who are at the lowest
point in their lives. Thank you for helping us assist the vulnerable in our
community.”
Uniting Care Kippax
What our supporters say
“The food rescue service that the Yellow Van undertakes can be measured in
terms of waste diverted from landfill, carbon emissions reduced, water saved
in food production, and dollars saved by charities.
But the care for others and human dignity that the Yellow Van makes
possible is both immeasurable and priceless.
I'll always remember how I first became aware of the Yellow Van: a woman
was describing how a beautiful piece of cake (provided by you) had made her
feel special. It made me cry to think that something most of us take for
granted can be so important to the dignity of someone who is struggling.
Well done to all of you for the wonderful work you do.“
Anonymous Facebook Supporter
We need your help!
• Your help will in fact help over 90
charities we currently assist. What a
great investment in your community!
• More importantly, it would help change
the lives of many vulnerable people in
our community.
• We know you care. Let your heart do
the talking!