Murchison Neighbourhood House volunteer Noela Hanrahan was heartbroken on Monday when she opened the kitchen freezer and discovered that all the meat for community meals had been stolen.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
Murchison Neighbourhood House volunteers and manager Jessie Boer felt shock and sadness on Monday, November 11, when they discovered that the freezer, which stocks food for community meals, had been emptied of all its meat supplies over the weekend.
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The theft, which wasn’t immediately apparent, was discovered only upon opening the freezer as volunteers began preparations for that day’s community lunch.
With the food having an estimated value of around $400, Mrs Boer expressed understanding about the difficult times many families and individuals were facing but noted the heartbreak in seeing the community’s resources taken in this way.
“It’s really sad that someone would do this to us and to our wonderful community,” Mrs Boer said.
“We are always here to help — no questions asked. We don’t need to know someone’s story or even their name. If they need help, we help.
“If someone needs food, we provide it. If they need clothes, we make sure they have what they need. We don’t make any money from this; we’re a not-for-profit community house.
“It’s hard to understand how someone could take from a place that exists solely to help others in need.”
Murchison Neighbourhood House manager Jessie Boer expressed disappointment that someone would steal from a facility dedicated to giving back and supporting the community.
Mrs Boer explained that after realising the freezer had been emptied, the team walked around the facility, trying to piece together what had happened.
She said a TV in the training room had also been taken.
In the women’s clothing section, they found a single uncooked packaged chicken lying on the ground, likely dropped while the thief was escaping through a window.
After calling 000, Mrs Boer reported the theft and break-in to Shepparton police.
During the inspection, they noticed that a metal rod used to secure a window from being pushed open had been removed, providing the intruder with a way inside.
“This means someone had been here before the weekend and had planned this,” Mrs Boer said.
“They came in, removed the rod and slightly opened the window, just enough for us not to notice, giving them an easy way inside.
“After finding the chicken, we realised they must have exited the same way they entered.
“This makes me feel a little sick, to be honest, because I may have helped this person. More than likely, I’ve met them, as I’m always friendly to everyone who comes here. If they needed help, they could have just asked.”
Every Monday and Wednesday, the Neighbourhood House hosts a community meal for just $5 per person.
On Thursdays, the $3 soup lunches have become quite popular. All proceeds from these meals go directly towards purchasing more food to sustain these vital services.
Murchison Neighbourhood House volunteers Trish Anderson and Sharon Kendall preparing a community lunch in the facility’s kitchen.
“We also use any money made from our pre-loved clothing and item sales to support this important community lunch and other community programs,” Mrs Boer said.
“We had purchased a large amount of meat for our Christmas lunch, which currently has around 50 people booked in. That is now all gone.
“We are thankful to those who have already reached out, with donations of meat, food, money and even a new TV to help us get back on our feet.
“Community supporting community is what it’s all about, and our Christmas lunch will go on no matter what. Our community needs it, and we will make it happen.”
Reflecting on recent challenges, she added, “It’s just really sad that someone was desperate enough to do this. What is our world coming to?”
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Geordie Thomas is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“Police are making ongoing inquiries into the burglary with regards to CCTV and pending forensic results,” Det Sen Constable Geordie Thomas said.
“Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information about the offending, to report it to F/C Amy Williams at the Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit.”
If anyone would like to donate to Murchison Neighbourhood House, please contact manager Jessie Boer on 5826 2373.
Murchison Neighbourhood House manager Jessie Boer was still in shock after last Monday’s break-in.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
