The last two and a half years have taken so much from so many, and so Mardi Brown and Pete Gurrie, owners of Sunday House, wanting to find a meaningful way to contribute to the community, have launched an initiative to donate fresh meals for every direct booking made.

The money raised will go towards assisting vulnerable people across the country via the superheroes at SecondBite, one of Australia’s largest food rescue organisations.

“Pete and I have always tried to have a community-focused initiative or project to work on, whether it be something we’re completely involved in or a side hustle which gives back to a chosen community,” said Mardi.

“Most of us (absolutely including us too), at one or more times over our lives, have lost more than we bargained for and been (living) hand to mouth, where we’ve needed the support from others around us until we can pick ourselves back up again.

As much as we plan our lives, sometimes circumstances can blindside us, and everything is different…and this is why SecondBite, as Australia’s largest fresh food rescue charity, is close to our hearts. What they do is really important for many reasons, both in supporting the community and the planet.”

SecondBite works with food growers, manufacturers and retailers to rescue surplus and unsold edible food that would otherwise be wasted in landfill and distributes it to local charities and non-profits around Australia.

These charities run food programs to support people in need in their communities, including families in crisis, elderly and low-income people, refugees and asylum seekers, youth and homeless people.

“As you can imagine, with drought, fires, floods and Covid, there have been so many people needing their support. It’s basic human needs, delivered in a dignified service, and I think they are absolute superheroes because of this,” said Pete.

Mardi, co-founder of PonyUp for Good, a social enterprise that keeps retired business technology out of landfill, said, “I support SecondBite via my own business, where we donate 50 per cent of profits to SecondBite. We are continually impressed with the way they innovate to close the gap on food insecurity.

“Personally, some of our best and most creative ideas come out on the morning dog walk…,” said Mardi. “Pete and I were chatting the other morning, and we really wanted to engage our guests coming to Sunday House in something meaningful and drive local tourism at the same time.

“It’s no secret that Regional Victoria and its many businesses, which have been used to welcoming guests through their doors, are still very much struggling. It seemed like a win, win for everyone. Our hope is that people looking to travel to the region and stay with us would see this as a wonderful bonus that their stay was also giving back to others.”

Any booking made directly via Sunday House, between 7 August and 31 December 2022, Friday through to Sunday, will see 100 fresh meals donated to SecondBite. Sunday House will also donate 150 meals for all bookings of three or more nights during this time, helping to feed the one in five people across Australia who are affected by food insecurity.

“If we all just do one small thing at a time that is bigger than ourselves, then I think we’re all winning. We can’t wait to see how many meals we can donate by the end of the year – Stay tuned!” said Mardi.

For more information visit: www.sundayhouse.com.au/community.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 12 August 2022.