General News
15 December, 2025
Grant to help deliver food relief across Ararat district
Ararat Neighbourhood House has received more than $80,000 through the 2025–26 Food Relief Program, with the funding set to purchase a mobile food van to deliver groceries to vulnerable and isolated residents across Ararat and surrounding communities.
The refrigerated vehicle will allow the organisation to expand its reach and support people who may struggle to access food relief services in person.
Manager of Ararat Neighbourhood House, Teli Kaur, said the van would make a significant difference. “We will deliver fresh produce not only in Ararat but in surrounding towns such as Elmhurst, Lake Bolac, Moyston, Willaura and other little towns in the Ararat region,” she said. “If they can’t be here due to illness or other issues so we can be there once a month to start with. We’ll see how we go. Come and grab what you want.”
At present, volunteers use their own cars to travel to Ballarat Food Bank to collect supplies, with Life Links Church assisting with monthly food collection trips. “We are grateful to them but if we have our own, we can do it each week. And we can serve as many as we can,” Ms Kaur said.
Ms Kaur said the organisation currently supports around 18 to 20 families each day. “Those 20 families are by appointment, but sometimes we do have walk-ins and we never turn them away,” she said. “We have seen a lot of demand. If we can get food on the table they can focus on other things.
The mobile food van is expected to arrive and begin operation by mid-2026. “We can’t wait to start,” said Ms Kaur.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett visited the centre to congratulate the team this week welcoming the funding. “It’s fantastic this money is going to the Ararat Neighbourhood House, they do incredible work with local families,” she said. “The need is there. We know that a lot of families are struggling with the cost of living and the cost of groceries at the moment, so this grant will really help so many families when they really need it.”
Recognising the ongoing battle those in need, “It removes all the barriers for people having support and food, and it's fantastic in terms of caring for people and connecting with people that may not have anyone who supports them in their life.”
Read More: Ararat