At Hepatitis ACT, we believe that meaningful health support goes beyond treatment and testing. It’s about meeting people where they’re at and making sure the most basic necessity like access to food is not overlooked. That’s why we’re proud to receive ongoing support from OzHarvest Canberra, who provide us with free weekly food deliveries for the people who access our services. This partnership helps us offer a deeper kind of care, helping bring people in our door that really need us.
OzHarvest is Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. With a focus on sustainability and compassion, they collect food from commercial outlets including supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and other food businesses, these are then redistributed to local charities and community organisations just like ours! By diverting perfectly good food from landfill and getting it into the hands of people who need it, OzHarvest is tackling two major social issues at once: food insecurity and food waste. In Canberra, they work tirelessly to make sure no edible food goes to waste and that those who need a helping hand don’t go without.
Oz Harvest Truck used on https://frostcollective.com/
Nourishing Our Community
Every week, OzHarvest delivers produce, pantry staples, and ready-to-eat meals straight to our office. Our team quickly sorts and makes this food available in our community space, where it is offered freely and without questions. Whether someone drops in for peer support, collects sterile equipment, attends an education session, or simply stops by for a chat, they are welcome to take food home when they access our services. It’s not a one-off offering or a seasonal program; it’s a standing feature of our commitment to holistic care. For many, this simple gesture means the difference between going hungry and having a meal that day.
At Hepatitis ACT, we serve a diverse community, including people who are:
- Experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- Living with chronic health conditions like hepatitis B or C
- Managing stigma and social isolation
- Navigating poverty, trauma, or mental health challenges
- Living on fixed or low incomes
For many of these people, something as simple as having access to a snack, a sandwich, or a few groceries can help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and restore a sense of normalcy. It creates a welcoming environment where people feel seen, not judged. It encourages return visits and allows us to build trust and offer health support in a more meaningful way. We’ve heard from countless service users who say the food we offer helps them get through the week, and for some, it’s the reason they feel safe coming through our doors.
A Partnership That Matters
We are incredibly grateful to OzHarvest Canberra for their consistency, generosity, and compassion, we celebrate the positive impact this brings to our community every single day. Every crate of food represents more than just nourishment, it represents community, shared responsibility, and the belief that everyone deserves support. Together, Hepatitis ACT and OzHarvest are creating real and tangible change by reducing food waste, easing food insecurity, and helping people feel included and cared for. In the end, it is not just about meals, it is about dignity, health, and human connection with food on the table and no judgement at the door, we are here for our community every day.
To find out more about OzHarvest’s inspiring work across Canberra and Australia, visit www.ozharvest.org. If you’re a local food business interested in donating surplus food, or a community member who wants to support this work, their website is the best place to start.