Christiaan McCann | Risks and Solutions for the Vulnerable | Small Projects in Hobart

Notes from the Field #17: Week Ending Sunday 31st – From Pete’s Packs to New Volunteers.

Christiaan

This week Food Not Bombs Hobart ran at full steam, with activity across our food rescue, shared table, and clothing redistribution efforts.

Pete’s Packs Keep Rolling

Pete continues to lead Pete’s Packs, helping get food directly into the hands of people living in shelters and experiencing homelessness. While homelessness is often discussed in abstract terms, Pete’s work keeps us connected to people facing the reality of it every day. His commitment remains one of the quiet strengths of our operation.

A Major Change in Food Rescue

On the food rescue front, there has been a significant change. A new national organisation, OzHarvest, has taken over food salvage operations at Woolworths stores. For us, this marks the end of a relationship that has supplied fruit and vegetables to Food Not Bombs Hobart for around seven years. While we support efforts to reduce food waste, the change means we are no longer receiving the produce that has formed a substantial part of our food redistribution activities. We will be exploring new opportunities and partnerships in the months ahead.

Winter Clothing Donations Increase

Our Free Market clothing redistribution project received a welcome boost this week. Two to three donors have offered to organise jacket collection drives, seemingly linked to a broader national winter woollies campaign. The community response has been encouraging. As always, however, the challenge is often not generating enthusiasm but coordinating the collection and movement of donated items once the initial excitement has passed.

New Volunteers and Better Systems

The shared table event welcomed three new volunteers this week. Growth brings energy, fresh ideas, and new opportunities, but it also highlights areas where better systems are needed. Some organisational challenges prompted us to begin drafting volunteer policies and procedures to help provide clarity and consistency as the team expands.

Danielle Brings New Energy

One particularly exciting development was the attendance of Danielle, a local recovery advocate with a substantial online following. Danielle brought both enthusiasm and community interest to the event, helping give the day a noticeable boost and introducing new people to the work being done.

Riding the Momentum

Overall, this was a growth week that reflects a broader growth period for Food Not Bombs Hobart. Since the success of the “Broke Ass Brunch,” we’ve seen increased visibility, engagement, and participation. Strategic use of Facebook and Instagram has helped us build on that momentum, bringing new supporters, volunteers, and community members into the fold.

Looking Ahead

As always, thank you to everyone who contributes time, food, clothing, transport, donations, and encouragement. The work continues because people continue to show up.

— Christiaan McCann
Food Not Bombs Hobart

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