Monaro Community Access Centre (MCAS) has re-established its food relief and rescue service to the Snowy Monaro community.

SecondBite has returned following an increase in residents visiting the Vale Street office requiring food assistance.

SecondBite is a leading Australian charity dedicated to rescuing surplus food and re-distributing it to charities, community groups, and food pantries.

The charity feeds millions of hungry Australians every day, makes sure quality food doesn’t go to waste, rescues quality food and provides it for people in need all of which has significant social and environmental benefits.

“The cost of living is stretching households and forcing them to make the difficult decision of either paying the rent/mortgage or eating,” MCAS caseworker, Jodi Reed, said.

“This is our second week running the service since it stopped. Hopefully, SecondBite can help relieve some pressures in the region’s homes, especially leading up to Christmas and school holidays.

“The dollar is not taking them as far as what it used to.”

Ms Reed said all ages and groups, from individuals to families, young and old, are being affected.

“There’s is a wide cross-section of people using the service,” Ms Reed said.

To access this food service assistance, appointments are required by contacting the office on 6452 6174 or follow MCAS on Facebook for updates.

Ms Reed said appointments are preferred as a way of providing clients with a more private and discreet means of collecting the food.

“When we previously offered a food service, people were lining up outside the door in the street and some people are too proud to access the service this way in that sense because it might look bad for them if they are seen,” Ms Reed said.

“We want to make it more discreet for them because it takes a lot for someone to say, especially if they are working families, I need help with some food this week because we have had the rego bill come in, the insurance needs to be paid or the mortgage this week.

“There’s a lot of pressure there.”

MCAS can assist people through an appointment and conduct an assessment to see what areas they can be assisted with.

“Usually food support indicates there’s some financial issues going on, so it’s trying to minimise the risk of homelessness as well, as that’s where it begins,” Ms Reed said.

“They start to choose whether they will pay rent or eat this week, especially when rental properties now for families cost around $500 a week.”

The service is available on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday.