Sustainability Award winners making the Tweed a better place
10 February 2022
If you want an uplifting story, look no further. Agape Outreach Inc. provide services for the homeless and needy across the Tweed, all while being environmental champions. The team recently won the 2021 Tweed Sustainability Awards – Community Group category.
More than 150 volunteers support in excess of 600 clients with meals plus an op-shop. They also work hard to avoid food waste, preventing it from going to landfill.
Tweed Heads Client Services Manager from Agape Outreach Inc. Jessica Clarke said winning the sustainability award means a lot to the organisation and to her personally.
“It has given us clarification that the efforts we are making as an organisation to be sustainable is making a difference. It has also given us that little extra drive to continue our efforts and increase them in the future,” Ms Clarke said.
“So much food goes to waste however, by donating it to Agape it can be given to those in the community who most need it rather than it being sent to landfill. Food that isn’t used is passed forward to the farmers for their animals and farms which means even the food leftover doesn't go to waste.
“We also take in donations such as used furniture and clothing and sell it at our op shop,” she said.
Jessica says that Agape doesn’t get any government funding and relies solely on donations which can be challenging.
“Lately, the food being donated has reduced so more food donations from cafes and the community would go a long way. Our client base is growing every week and due to circumstances with the pandemic, more people are needing our services.
“We are always looking for volunteers. If you can help, either by volunteering or donating food, it would be greatly appreciated,” she said.
Find out more at agapeoutreachinc.com and the Tweed Sustainability Awards.
Image caption: (Left):Theresa Mitchell, Founding Director (left) and Jessica Clarke, Tweed Heads Client Services Manager from Agape Outreach Inc collecting their award. (Right): Generous donors from the Tweed community donating gift cards to Agape Outreach Inc. to go towards purchasing food for the homeless.