SALT student initiative wins 2012 Ryde Council volunteer award
Daniel Bofinger accepts the volunteer award on behalf of all of those involved in the SALT project. (Photo courtesy Macquarie University)
A Macquarie University student-run food bank initiative, run in conjunction with The Salvation Army, has recently received the 2012 Group Volunteer Award from Ryde Council.
The initiative, known as SALT (Seek Justice, Alleviate Hunger, Lift the Burden Today, Transforming Lives), is also supported by the university’s Campus Experience. It is the only officially-chartered Salvation Army university student association in Australia.
SALT was established two years ago and helps provide a better place to live for the residents of a nearby Government housing estate. Students collect leftover food items donated by retail outlets on campus which they distribute to the residents of the estate.
The Council’s annual Volunteer Recognition Awards acknowledge the contribution made by unsung heroes in the Ryde area. SALT was one of seven groups nominated for the Group Volunteer Award, which included other, more established nominees.
Peter Fasogiannis, Campus Experience Business Operations Manager, and Macquarie University student Daniel Bofinger, attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of all of those involved in the project.
Focus on Christian activism
At the end of 2010, Andrew McCloud and Shane Fenwick, two Macquarie University students with links to The Salvation Army, were challenged on how to live out the Gospel and focus on Christian activism and advocacy.
After searching The Salvation Army website for a contact, they met with Robyn Evans, Territorial Social Justice Coordinator, to discuss their vision and how to make it work in practical terms. The pair also met with Craig Stephens, Mission Leader at Macquarie Park Mission, to talk through possible local Salvation Army needs and support.
“Not long after that, Macquarie University called Craig to let him know that the university had leftover food at the end of every day that they would like to give to people who needed it, and SALT was started,” said Andrew.
“All things came together so quickly. We had just said that we were available and really, God did all the work to make this happen.”
Andrew, Shane, and Daniel, the third student leader of the group, are thankful for the support and encouragement they have received from The Salvation Army and Campus Experience.
“The recipients love this project and in the future, we would love to expand it to where we could go door-to-door with food for those who need it, or provide a place where everyone can enjoy it together,” said Daniel.
Currently, mostly student volunteers collect the soups, pastries, sandwiches, Chinese, rice and other dishes and take them to a distribution point organised by the Macquarie Park Mission.
“This initiative is about relationships, advocacy, fostering a community and doing all that in Christ’s name,” said Andrew.
Report by Simone Worthing
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