Meals with love in Harvey

The tight-knit community of Harvey is once again banding together — this time lending a hand to those who may be going hungry.

Rike Offer and Rachel McPherson have kick-started an initiative to share extra meals and food hampers with people who may be struggling to put food on the table.

“These free meals are just about helping each other out,” Mrs McPherson said. “If people have spare produce or have cooked a little extra, they can post it online and people who are in need can pick it up. There are absolutely no questions asked.”

Mrs McPherson said the initiative was started through the Church of Christ.

“We assessed the gaps in the community and spoke to local services about what our town needed and we found that a lot of people and families were going hungry,” she said.

Mrs Offer said there were many reasons that caused people to go hungry.

“Illness, unemployment and bills are just some of the reasons that people may be unable to buy enough food each week,” she said.

Mrs Offer grew up in Africa and said she had seen hunger. She said she did not want people going hungry in her community and this was a great way to help tackle the rising issue.

Mrs Offer said the Facebook group Free Meals with Love Harvey WA had hundreds of members and new members were welcome.

The identities of those in need would be kept confidential.

“Anyone wanting to give produce, share food or collect food is welcome to join,” she said.

The pair said they had plans with the Church of Christ community to cook in the recreation centre’s commercial kitchen and prepare bulk meals in the future.