Connecting Community When There Are No Events…

One of the most important things about doing events for us at LOUD is connection and building community! So, when one of our clients OzHarvest Brisbane contacted us eager to connect with Brisbane catering businesses to increase their capacity of dignified food relief throughout the COVID19 crisis, we were eager to help.

With so many event venues and restaurants forced to close due to COVID19 restrictions OzHarvest Brisbane saw not only an influx of unused fresh ingredients from restaurants and produce suppliers, but also an increased demand in meals due to hardship created by the crisis. Additionally, the need for social distancing required a radical re-think in how usual sit down and street reach-out charity meals are provided.

With the kitchens closed at Victoria Park Function Centre due to event and dining restrictions, there was the opportunity to connect these two businesses, and use their professional kitchens and Victoria Park’s talented chefs to help out… And so was born a collaboration project between Ozharvest Brisbane and Victoria Park Function Centre. Each Monday, Ozharvest drop fresh produce that has been donated, along with packaging requirements. Then each Tuesday morning the chefs at Victoria Park, prepare and package in excess of 400 nutritious meals. These meals are then chilled for collection and distribution by OzHarvest Brisbane to those in need.

We’re really enjoying bringing together these positive connections, and love how those in our events community, such as Victoria Park Function Centre, have been contributing to positive change, through altruistically endeavours, to ride out the shutdowns.

Thanks to the Victoria Park team for being so accommodating and eager to help; and thanks to OzHarvest Brisbane for not giving up on combating food waste, while helping those in need during a crisis.