Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network COVID support officer Charlotte Johnson and clinical programs and emergency response manager Peta Anderson are setting up at the Riverside car park early this morning. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Wagga locals experiencing food insecurity or homelessness will have access to fresh food, COVID and flu vaccinations at the Homelessness Week Expo today.
The expo will be held at the Riverside car park off Johnson Street until 12 pm today (8 August). Attendees are encouraged to bring their reusable bags.
The expo follows the success of the two well-attended Foodbank pop-ups in Wagga Wagga last year. During the pop-ups, 2000 people attended and received fresh food and pantry items.
The Homelessness Week Expo is an initiative of the Triple H Forum, organised by Wagga Wagga City Council and supported by Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) as part of their ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Murrumbidgee community. MPHN will also be on site, offering free health checks and vaccinations.
WWCC community development officer Alexandra Osgood said the pop-up will have plenty of fresh food, pantry items, warm food, and drinks.
“The community can meet with services that can provide early intervention and crisis support, which is important,” Ms Osgood said.
“Especially with the rising cost of living, it’s important that people know that there are services available to support them at an earlier intervention stage but also at that crisis stage.”
Ms Osgood said shame is often associated with community members seeking support for the first time.
“The key message that we want to get across to people is to reach out and ask for help,” Ms Osgood said.
“There is no shame in wanting to ensure you are safe, happy and healthy.”
MPHN’s clinical programs and emergency response manager, Peta Anderson, said that following the success of last year’s Homelessness Week Expo, there will be a series of Food Bank pop-ups throughout the Murrumbidgee.
“We’ve already been to Leeton and are heading to Tumut, Hay and Deniliquin over the next few months,” Ms Anderson said. “We’re trying to spread it out throughout the area.”
“By offering food relief and free health services, as well as access to a range of local community support services, we hope to alleviate some of the immediate pressures faced by people and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.”
Ms Anderson said MPHN’s primary goal is to support the health and wellbeing of the local community.
“We know when you’re struggling and doing it tough is not think about your preventative health,” she said.
“You might go to the doctor when you’re feeling unwell but don’t necessarily go for those preventative things like vaccinations.
“We’ll be giving out COVID and flu vaccinations, which will be free today.”
The theme for Homelessness Week 2024 is ‘Homelessness Action Now,’ reflecting a collective call to address and take action against homelessness.
Homelessness Week will be held until Sunday, 11 August.
For more information about the Homelessness Week Expo, please get in touch with Wagga Wagga City Council on 1300 292 442 or email [email protected]
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