The Kindness Collective has rebranded as Kyneton Foodbank in a move to improve connectivity to its services.
Board director Rhonda Holmes said the rebranding had helped people in need locate the service with ease.
“We found that people didn’t understand what The Kindness Collective was and when people in need tried to search for foodbanks they were less likely to find it,” she said.
The rebranding was completed earlier this month, not only with a new name, but also new logo, building painting and reorganisation.
Kyneton Foodbank has also introduced new manager Grant Harpur and new chef Jo.
The foodbank continues to offer the same services including pantry staples and goods for those in need, and a sit down three-course lunch four days a week.
Meals at the lunch service are prepared from donated food from various sources including local businesses, farmers and programs like SecondBite. Some items like meat are purchased as needed.
Ms Holmes said both foodbank users and patronage at the community lunch had notably increased.
“The food service has expanded exponentially. It has doubled since six weeks ago and, on some days, it has tripled,” she said.
“People are more easily able to find and access the service now and are really loving the food. We also getting new registrations from people daily. It’s got a whole different energy.”
People who would like to access Kyneton Foodbank must first register with a form of ID and proof of Macedon Ranges residency.
The foodbank’s main source of income comes from goods sold at the attached op shop fronting Mollison Street. Since the foodbank’s rebranding, it too has welcomed a ‘new look’.
Ms Holmes said the foodbank always welcomed monetary and food donations from the community, as well as quality items for re-sale at the op shop such as clothing and bric-a-brac.
Food donations of fruit, vegetables and meat are always being sought, and pantry staples are also in high demand including pasta, rice, sauces and tinned foods like tomatoes.
New volunteers are also welcome to assist the team.
