As you walk into the Tomerong School of Arts hall on the third Saturday of the month you may hear the happy chatter of volunteers setting up for the Shoalhaven Food House market stall.
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Customers arrive and begin to fill their baskets with food they know is organic, has limited packaging and that also supports local producers.
Many customers have been shopping at the Shoalhaven Food House stall for years and are warmly greeted by the volunteers helping the customers with their purchases.
The organic Food House has been operating for fifteen years and has always been managed and staffed by volunteers for the community of the Shoalhaven.
Several of the volunteers have been with this organisation for many years. Long term volunteers, Jim and Marion, said they love being part of a group that helps the community access organic food at a reasonable price and they enjoy the lovely friendships with customers and workers.
However, this non-profit organisation can only continue to operate if they have enough volunteers to operate the market stall.
According to the president, Robyn Sedger, the Shoalhaven Food House has now reached a crisis point in that they desperately need more volunteers so that they can continue to operate.
"We have some amazing volunteers", said Robyn.
"However, things happen in life and volunteers may move out of the area, or have an exciting event such as a new baby, or commence Saturday paid employment; any one of a number of things which may prevent their continued work as a volunteer with us".
"We are not sure how much longer we can continue with our depleted numbers. We cannot let this venture close down, but we also can't run it without volunteers.
- Robyn Sedger
The Shoalhaven Food House is now in desperate need for more volunteers.
"We are not sure how much longer we can continue with our depleted numbers. We cannot let this venture close down, but we also can't run it without volunteers," Robyn said.
Robyn said the Shoalhaven Food House is a great asset for the area and she's sure there are volunteers out there who are keen to be part of this vibrant organisation.
Volunteers can be included in a roster to help on the market stall for a couple of hours as frequently (or infrequently) as they like.
To find out more about this volunteering opportunity contact Robyn at shoalhavenfoodhouse@gmail.com or drop into the market on a third Saturday at Tomerong and have a chat.
The attached photograph depicts three generations of volunteers from the same family.
For further information, contact Robyn Sedger, 0411 093 012 or shoalhavenfoodhouse@gmail.com
