St Agnes’ Catholic Parish has teamed up with Hastings Co-op to provide care packages to those in the local community who have been impacted by the environment caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The health warnings and social distancing brought on by COVID-19 combined with the scarcity of grocery items have left many in the community feeling isolated and anxious,” says St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer.

“We approached Hastings Co-op to source grocery items to supply to people who we knew were in need. Once they heard what we were doing, they offered us a discounted rate. The Parish is using a charitable works fund sponsored by staff and parishioners to produce the care packages.”

“Having worked with Hastings Co-op before, I know that we are on the same page when it comes to wanting to help when the community is in need.”

“We greatly appreciated the quick turnaround by Hastings Co-op and their enthusiasm to be involved,” Adam said.

Hastings Co-op Business and Community Development Manager Tim Walker said Hastings Co-op was an enthusiastic partner in the project.

“We were so happy to help,” Tim said. “We supplied more than 780 grocery items for the care packages, ranging from tea bags to soap and biscuits.”

“These grocery items helped produce over 50 care packages to date, mainly to older members of the community who have had trouble getting grocery items, were feeling socially isolated or were generally anxious to venture outside due to the environment brought on by COVID-19.”

Adam Spencer said that while Hastings Co-op supplied the groceries, Parish volunteers did the packing and delivery. “The recipients were touched by the gesture and very grateful,” he said.

“We received a beautiful thank you note from a recipient who said she had been feeling very upset about the Coronavirus situation and was quite teary about it. She said the care package was delivered and it ‘truly lifted her spirits’.”

“It is this willingness to work together that makes our community truly great,” he concluded.

Port Macquarie Youth Hub Manager Mick Gilmour was one of the volunteers helping with the care packages.