By Jenna Lewis and Erica Keppel

When reading through a volunteer information pack for one of our city’s Mission kitchens, I was reminded of the urgency and reality that drives the work of many committed individuals and organisations 365 days a year, all over Melbourne – ‘Any one of us could find ourselves in a position of need’.

That is, a position of poverty, hunger and an existence that titters on the fringe of society. We all know how it feels to relentlessly search for work, or struggle to make ends meet for a few weeks between pay checks, but a continual reliance on the generosity of others for a daily meal is a very real plight of many individuals and families that have somehow slipped through the cracks. Recognizing this is the first step in helping out, though ironically finding a practical way to help seems to escape many as lifestyles grow busier and our environment more demanding.

Whilst there may be great job satisfaction in many Creative roles around the city, a common request from prospective candidates when describing they’re dream job to us here at Artisan - is they’re yearn to be part of a larger cause – or to work for a company who is doing something DIFFERENT socially or environmentally. To contribute to the greater good.

Often, due to busy lifestyles – many of us feel we simply cannot find nor afford the additional time it takes to engage in such activities.

Whilst some organisations take an overly fundamental approach in they’re social and environmental contributions (ie. using environmentally sustainable principles in their design process or purchasing fair trade inventory), many companies chose to align themselves positively (through profit, promotions or labour) with a charity or cause, be it local or global. This activity within business is more frequently referred to as Corporate Social Responsibility.

After some investigation around just how local companies are doing this, I uncovered a myriad of exceptionally well orchestrated organisations that enable companies and individuals to give back, right here in Melbourne.

FareShare, is a highly polished and immaculately run operation, which manages to provide for those in need, as well as decrease wastage of valuable resources. FareShare’s mission statement states simply: Rescuing Food. Fighting Hunger.

Each year in Victoria 700,000 tonnes of food goes into landfill. A lot of this food is perfectly fine for human consumption and could be passed onto local charities to help feed families that are struggling with the rising cost of living in and around Melbourne.

This is where FareShare comes in. FareShare are a small, not for profit organization running on a very tight budget doing their part to feed the poor and homeless within Melbourne. FareShare do not buy or sell food products, they receive donations from many donors including catering companies, businesses and food wholesalers. The point of difference that makes FareShare standout is that they use the food donated and turn it into nutritious hand held meals in their very own kitchen.

FareShare have been providing healthy and nutritious meals to the hungry and homeless in Victoria since 2001. The food for these meals has come from donations as well as rescuing food intended for landfill. Saving food from landfill means FareShare also do their bit for the planet by cutting methane pollution and successfully decreasing the requirement for new food products.

An important of aspect of FareShare’s cause is raising community awareness to the extent of food wastage and the magnitude of hunger within Victoria. This is achieved by providing supporters with the chance to volunteer in the their kitchen and make a difference to the people around them. Many local businesses and individuals contribute to a hands on group initiative at Fareshare in Abbotsford, assisting in the preparation and distribution of food to those in need. More often that not, FareShare’s weekly roster for volunteer assistance is blocked out with ‘regular’ contributors from this businesses and individuals.

The concept works well in providing the general population and corporate groups the opportunity to contribute to a huge cause, gaining a deepened sense of gratitude and fulfillment that comes with hands on work at the coal face of a very real problem.

To make a donation or learn more about FareShare visit their website www.fareshare.org.au

Additionally, for some small to medium size businesses, it is difficult to factor out time in their tight schedules and budgets, for socially responsible activities such as FareShare. Enterprises such as Do Something provide a gateway for companies wanting to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility, without leaving they're studios or offices. Do Something endeavor to be the “new type’ of Not For Profit organisation, bringing together resources from the business community and the goodwill of Australian’s public in an effort to create and promote positive social and environmental change.

Varied campaigns have been established, and provide the public and businesses with a dynamic platform to contribute positively to this change. Campaigns such as Ban the Bag, Feed Sydney, Help East Timor, Be Food Wise, Go Tap and Cut Paper are accessible measures that anyone can engage in. Whether it’s a Paperless office, or a Ban on bottled water you would like to enforce in your studio - Do Something is an excellent launch pad.

‘Rather than talk about the problems, we seek to "do something" by building alliances between businesses, government and the community. We identify problems and then find answers that achieve measurable benefits for the environment and our community.’ www.dosomething.net.au

There’s no doubt that such organisations work incredibly well to enhance the lives of many in need, though there is benefit for companies who contribute they’re labour on one or more project form a team building perspective. There’s nothing quite like a collective effort to reinforce perspective and team bonds, enhance morale and boost productivity, as employees gain a real sense of job satisfaction and purpose in they’re every day.

If your studio or agency is 'Doing Something',that you think our team would love to hear about, contact Erica Today!