 |
| HELPING HANDS: Tzu Chi Foundation CEO Julia Wu and her team of volunteers meet with Ipswich Councillor Cheryl Bromage (at back) to discuss the food giveaway. |
PENSIONERS who go to Brassall Shopping Centre for food on September 2 may not have to spend a cent.
About 150 families will be handed free packages supplied by the philanthropic Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation.
Spokeswoman Julia Wu said the foundation was a worldwide charity founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Taiwan.
"They provide assistance to the needy, particularly the victims of natural disasters," Ms Wu said.
"The food aid package - strictly one per family - will include non-perishable food items, and will be available to Centrelink, pensioner, concession card and/or health care card holders only."
This food aid distribution will take place on Sunday, September 2, from 9.30-10.30am in the Brassall Shopping Centre carpark, the IGA side.
Each recipient is asked to bring a pen and Centrelink card. "Clients will also receive a once-off Tzu Chi bag for their first parcel only," Ms Wu said.
"This bag is to be reused if the client wishes to use this food aid service again."
A second food distribution to 500 families is planned in December.
Recipients will each be given an extra Christmas present, a $20 gift voucher.
"I hope that we can come here to Ipswich three times a year," Ms Wu said.
The foundation has been providing a similar service at the Gold Coast for the past 10 years.
Brassall Shopping Centre owner representative Bonnie Hwang said food for the giveaway would be bought from the centre's IGA Supermarket.
"I donate to the Tzu Chi Foundation every year," Ms Hwang said.
"I think it's a good organisation, and they're all volunteers."
Since the 2011 floods in Ipswich, the foundation has come to the city to help out in a variety of ways.
Well-being and information sessions were held in April last year at Bundamba, Goodna and Karalee to help flood victims.
The foundation gave $500 gift cards, blankets and medical packs to flood victims.
Volunteers had offered help with clearing out muddy homes.
Brassall Primary School has publicly acknowledged the foundation's help with the flood clean-up, donation of equipment and setting up the library.
Eligible families should register for the food giveaway on September 2 at tzuchigc@yahoo.com.tw by August 30. Families without email access can register at Councillor Cheryl Bromage's office in the Brassall Shopping Centre.
30.8.12
