Tackling food insecurity and social isolation
Waminda Community House in Benalla strives to support the wellbeing of all Benalla residents. A recent initiative led by Benalla Health, Benalla Rural City Council and Tomorrow Today Foundation identified challenges relating to vulnerable populations, including low-income families, people with disabilities and older individuals struggling with food insecurity and social isolation.
Waminda was awarded a Community Grant from FFV in December 2023 to enable it to run the Link Up program (formerly Our Community – Eating Well, Living Well program), with a focus on nutritious meals, cooking education and social connection to build a healthier, more connected community.
Sharing meals and art
The Link Up program, held every Wednesday, has quickly become a vibrant and essential part of the Waminda community. From 10am to 11am, participants gather for a low-cost community meal/morning tea (just $2), fostering a sense of connection and belonging. Following morning tea, a Creative Art group has emerged, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to develop new skills and form meaningful friendships.
One of their recent projects involved creating Red Shoe art pieces, which will be exhibited in Tatura to raise awareness about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD). In addition to these creative pursuits, the program has hosted three community lunches. They are also running cooking classes for parents and kids on how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget and create healthy lunchboxes for children. These classes empower participants with essential life skills, helping them make healthier food choices and manage their food budgets more effectively.
Overcoming holes in the program
The program has not been without its challenges. In June 2024, the Waminda Community House site was shut down due to significant termite damage, rendering the building unsafe. This unexpected closure disrupted the program’s operations, particularly the cooking classes, which had to be put on hold until a suitable alternative kitchen space could be found. Despite the setback, the program has continued to operate out of a nearby residential house. The team has shown resilience and adaptability, ensuring that the weekly morning teas and community lunches continue.
