Central Coast Magazines Home and Lifestyle Winter 2024

Food donation Callout! H elp people doing it tough with donations of everyday food and personal care staples - tinned meats and fish, small and family sized shampoos, conditioners and soaps single-serving milks are much-needed hamper items at Mary Mac’s Place in Woy Woy. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP says demand for Mary Mac’s Place hampers from families, individuals and people doing it tough is stronger than ever. “For many disadvantaged members of our community, the cupboards are almost bare. For some people in need, the food cupboards are entirely bare.” “With recent figures from Mary Mac’s suggesting demand for its food hampers has gone from 50 hampers a week to a huge 150, even some of the shelves in Mary Mac’s own food pantry are also looking a little understocked. Coastie singles, families, and people who are homeless depend on these hampers. “I encourage members of the community to drop off a bag of essential groceries to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate. Dropping in some meals-in-a-tin for Mary Mac’s hampers can be a big help to locals living rough. Even the simple act of donating some tinned fish could be a real help to a family making their kids’ school sandwiches. Mary Mac’s provides many kinds of support for the Coast’s homeless, transient, and disadvantaged – from a daily hot meal to shower and laundry facilities and Health on the Street services, including podiatry and hairdressing. Mary Mac’s Place volunteer Pauline Lazarus said donations from the local community made a real difference. “We are very fortunate to receive donations such as food and groceries from local The Central Coast Seniors Interagency A new interagency dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of seniors in the Central Coast region has been established. The Central Coast Seniors Interagency is a partnership between The Central Coast Community Council, Central Coast Council, and Central Coast Local Health District’s Health Promotion Service. It will support a collaborative approach across services and community organisations who are dedicated to addressing the unique and changing needs of the rapidly growing senior’s population on the Central Coast. With the proportion of people aged 70 years or older expected to increase to 20% by 2041, it is important we facilitate opportunities to work collectively to not only identify needs and challenges, but also streamline communication and information sharing. A key focus of the interagency will be on areas critical to providing a supportive local environment that promotes a wholistic and positive approach to ageing, including physical activity, nutrition, mental health, social engagement and isolation, and digital literacy that facilitate people living independently in the community. Central Coast Council Community and Recreation Services Unit Manager, Phil Cantillon, said the partnership “marks a significant step forward in Council’s commitment to supporting the senior members of our community,” "The creation of this interagency will enable all members to leverage their collective strength to make a tangible difference,” Mr Cantillon said. Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart commended the collaboration and establishment of the new interagency. “By working together, we can build a healthier, more vibrant community for our seniors on the Central Coast,” Mr Hart said. The interagency encourages membership from any service or community organisation that supports positive ageing, aiming to build a broad and inclusive network dedicated to the wellbeing of older adults living on the Central Coast. The Central Coast Seniors Interagency held a launch event in April at The Hub, Erina, where interested members were invited to attend to help shape the alliance. Services and community organisations supporting seniors on the Central Coast are invited to register by contacting Penny Newson at Central Coast Community Council on 0425 277 518 or rdo@thecccc.org.au.

supermarkets, as well as donations of services from all kinds of local businesses, community groups and sporting teams. “Every bit counts so we encourage locals to put aside time to pop in to drop off some groceries to us.” Mary Mac’s, provides social, community and friendship opportunities for men, women, families, young people, the elderly and the socially and economically disadvantaged. Donations can be made at 100 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy, opposite St John the Baptist Catholic Church.

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21 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Winter 2024