News

Bushfire Tin Cans

Mile End Community Church initiated a major food collection campaign in Rouse Hill in response to the needs of the Victorian fire victims and fire fighters. A coordination team from Mile End launched Operation Tin Can. This was a local area initiative to collect non perishable food supplies from the 2000 residential homes in Rouse Hill. With extensive promotion, all of which was gifted, the church was able to make preparations for collection day – Saturday, 21st February.

The promotion included the distribution of flyers and posters, promotion at local Adventist churches (Castle Hill and Kellyville) and schools, interviews with Pr Vanas on Hope103.2FM by Aaron & Dan, promotion and collection point at local Supermarkets – Woolworths (Rouse Hill & Kellyville) and Franklins (Rouse Hill).

On the collection day, over fifty volunteers showed up to cover the Rouse Hill area and beyond. Some of these volunteers were not even members of the church. “The community was so over whelming generous,” says Craig Vanas, pastor of Mile End Community Church. “The local residents were very appreciative of our church for making the effort to help the fire victims. I was also amazed at how other church members, businesses, local individuals all went the extra mile for Operation Tin Can.”

Listed below are the items and goods and services donated:

- Design, print and distribution of 4,000 flyers
- Pallet of Baked Beans donated by a Kellyville church member
- Donation of Boxes, Trucks & Forklift – thanks to Tuscany Foods in Rouse Hill
- Donation of Warehouse Space, Pallets, Boxes & Transport Shrink Wrap – S&D Logistics Riverstone
- Two Transport options lined up for FREE delivery to Melbourne, depending on quantity of food collected
- Editorial Notice in Rouse Hill Times
- Collection Point at Supermarkets
- Outdoor Banner
- Promo/Interview on Hope103.2FM with Aaron & Dan on the breakfast show
- Community Announcements on radio 2GB & 2CH – thanks to Dionysia @ 2GB
- 2 Large tubs of ice and drinks supplied for the volunteers refreshment – thanks to McDonald’s (Rouse Hill)
- FREE 25 Pizzas delivered to Mile to help feed hungry volunteers – thanks to Domino’s Pizza (Rouse Hill)

The result was seven large pallets of food sorted and packed and shipped to Melbourne the very next week. “There is no doubt that this project did as much or more for Mile End church than it did for people whose lives we were attempting to ease,” said Pr Vanas.

In thanking those involved Pr Vanas quoted Gary Haugen from International Justice Mission: “… in and amidst human tragedy the question always seems to be ‘Where is God?’ I’ve come to realize a better question is, ‘Where are God’s people?’”

« Back to news index