What our clients say
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!
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