Nourish Now Cooks

Francesca & family – Cooks

In recent years I have seen the queue grow at my local food bank. Very often there would be family with 2 or 3 children. I thought about my family, how we live, the food we cook, mealtimes are so enjoyable.
Then I thought about the families at the food banks, the parents that for whatever reason could not provide for their families as much as they would like, made me very sad. I wanted to do something about it.
When Nourish Now was mentioned in my children’s school newsletter, I jumped at the opportunity to get involved. I was very inspired by the whole concept.
I have been surprised how easy the whole process has been. The fact that it doesn’t require any effort from me at all, is amazing. I am going to cook anyway so why don’t just cook extra portion?
As a family, eating healthy and nutritious has always been important to us, even more so now that I cook for others too. I tend to cook daily with fresh ingredients as much as possible and since joining Nourish Now, I shop more at my local fruits and vegetable markets for fresh produce and the local butchers for meats. The budget goes further so I am not spending any extra.
The whole family gets involved with this process somehow, either chopping, cooking, or dropping off. Its great fun!
Being involved in The Nourish Now Initiative has benefited my family. We have learnt to be socially aware, more emphatic to others, and realise the need to contribute to community. My children have learnt to waste less and share more. These are all values that have now been instilled in them.
I have been lucky enough to see firsthand what happens after the food is dropped off. I met some of the recipients and the team behind all this. Knowing that real people in need are enjoying your cooking is a real bonus. There is a need for such a service in my community and I am grateful to be involved.
I would highly recommend Nourish Now. It’s good for the cooks, good for the recipients and great for the community. – Francesca.

Kristina – Cook

During my search for local community initiatives, I came across Nourish Now and instantly wanted to get involved. I joined Nourish Now as a chef and quickly learned that as well as providing nourishing meals, the initiative has a positive impact on social wellbeing and mental health for its service users and volunteers alike.
Being a part of the initiative boosted my joy of cooking. Knowing that somebody with limited resources or mobility will get to enjoy a home cooked meal is a wonderful motivation. I tend to cook in bulk for my house and set aside a portion or two for donation. This routine can be flexible around busy work schedules or other commitments. It is a fantastic volunteering opportunity as it demonstrates direct impact to the cause and has a supportive community spirit. – Kristina

Scott – Cook

Since the pandemic I have really got into cooking and love spending time cooking delicious meals, so the opportunity and ease to simply add a few more ingredients to make and extra portion and share my meals was a no brainier. I received a leaflet through the door and was allocated a drop off point immediately, and later a dedicated person to drop off to, which has since made the experience even more rewarding as he is really grateful for receiving the meal. For myself, I’m already cooking the meal so it’s no burden or extra time from my side, but if it can help someone out in need then it’s worth it every time! – Scott

Act Now Internships

Meaghan – Fundraising Intern

I had the pleasure of interning with the Act Now Initiative as a fundraising intern, and it was an experience I will never forget. I found the internship through my university while studying abroad in London and was immediately drawn to the organisation’s mission of promoting community led initiatives and supporting marginalised communities. As an undergraduate student studying human rights and social justice, I knew this internship would be the perfect opportunity for me.
During my time at the Act Now Initiative, I was able to work on a variety of fundraising projects, including researching funders and drafting project briefs for initiatives the organisation is pursuing. I learned so much about the fundraising process through these projects. My supervisor was incredibly supportive and provided me with valuable feedback and guidance on my work.
The skills and knowledge I gained during my internship have been incredibly helpful for my career. I know I will be able to apply these skills to future jobs in the nonprofit sector and feel more confident when applying for jobs following the completion of my degree. Additionally, the connections I made during my internship have been invaluable, and I know that I can always reach out to the Act Now Initiative for advice and support.
I would highly recommend the Act Now Initiative’s fundraising internship to anyone looking to gain experience in the charity sector. The organisation is doing important work, and the team is incredibly dedicated and passionate about what they do. The internship is a great opportunity to learn about fundraising, social justice, build your skills and network, and make a meaningful contribution to a worthy cause. I am grateful for the experience and know that it will benefit me in my career.