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STAGE 3, ROUND 2

Thank you to our volunteers, donors, and collaborators for continuing to support hospitality workers through the second round of Stage 3 restrictions in Melbourne. When we said, “we are in this for the long haul,” we meant it. This week CoVid-19 EAD provided 1128 meals, delivered over 1300kg of OzHarvest Food Essentials Boxes, drove 473km and received a $2,000 grant from Street Smart’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. We started this marathon 14 weeks ago and have been blown away by the outpouring of support from our community. The next six weeks are going to be tough for everyone, but for some the road will be rockier. If you can, please continue to show your love through sharing, volunteering, and donating.

Meals for Hospo prepared by a volunteer CoVid-19 EAD chef
The CoVid-19 EAD volunteer chefs are cooking hundreds of meals for hospo workers in need, like this corned beef with peas, slow roasted fennel, pumpkin, and beef jus. 

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AN UPDATE FROM HQ

It’s been a stressful time all around the world as we deal with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the uncertainty it brings. What life will look like over the next few months has changed and you might be feeling anxious about what this means.  We wanted to assure you that we have been here with you the last time we had stage 3 restrictions, and will continue to be here with you for the foreseeable future.

When we started, we were small and everything was ad-hoc.  We are now an organisation that is ASIC registered and Auspice sponsored- so we can assure you that we have a dedicated team that will support you for as long as we can.  

During this challenging time, many of you may feel isolated.

We want to assure you that we started this organisation by sharing the message, “we are in this for the long haul” and we meant it. We were all looking forward to slowly going back to work and getting back to the industry we love –  we can assure you, we know how you feel.

Covid-19 EAD is working round the clock to make sure that you have the support you all need and deserve in this challenging time.

To our donors, collaborators and supporters, thank you. The work we do would not be possible without your continued generosity. The next 6 weeks are going to be tough on everyone, especially our hospitality comrades whose life is dedicated to the service of all.

If you can, please continue to show your love through sharing, volunteering and donating.

Love,
COVID-19 EAD

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WE’RE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

While some staff are preparing to go back to work, other hospitality workers are struggling with no end in sight.

Registrations for meals increased again this week, as workers without access to government assistance and those experiencing delays in funding are turning to the CoVid-19 EAD initiative for help.

This week our volunteer drivers drove 446km to deliver 1,572 meals to 393 hungry hospo workers.

We’re going to keep providing support to those in need for as long as is necessary.

THANK YOU again to all our donors, volunteers, and charity partners for making all this possible.

Much love and wash your hands,
The CoVid-19 E.A.D. Team

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ONE MONTH 3,410 MEALS LATER

We’re still serving hospo workers in need.

Here’s the latest big weekly update from the CEO:

Last week our crew of volunteers delivered 928 chef prepared meals and 46 essential care packs across Melbourne, and we’re not slowing down.

To date, we’ve provided 3,410 meals, driven 1598km, and touched over 1,000 hospo workers’ lives.

Thanks to our charity partners, business partners and generous donors:

• Oz Harvest and Fareshare’s food donations are helping us cook more meals for more people.
• Pasta Classica has been with us since week one, providing food and freezer access.
• FROM the Collective are graciously lending us their space and fridges to form the heart of our distribution network.
• The Colonial Brewing Company is supplying weekly supply drops of beer and cider
• That Arancini Guy trusted us to drive his van for pick-ups and deliveries.
• Navy Strength donated toilet paper and use of their chest freezer (two very important essentials)!
• Rice Paper Sister, Hats and Tatts, The Lincoln, Lover, and The Big Group all offered commercial kitchen space for our chef prepared meals.
• NED Whisky, Melbourne Gin Company, and CurryRescue.com raised our spirits with their charitable GoFundMe donations.
• And The Hof Downtown, Webarnone, Gospel Whiskey, Antt Mann Signs, South Melbourne Bakery, and Fitzroy Officeworks have kept us running with their in kind donations.

It goes without saying that this movement would be nothing without the time, blood, sweat and tears of our tireless volunteer army who are working 7 days a week to make this all possible.

If you’re able to donate, twenty dollars will support a hospo worker in need for five weeks. If you’re in need, register for assistance at https://www.endsandmeans.com.au/covid19-ead

Much love and wash your hands.
The CoVid-19 E.A.D. Team