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From the CEO Desk: Pastor Max Walker. CORNERSTONE opened the year with our first Wednesday and Friday programs feeding 100 people on the first days. This is an indication of the current situation in our community. Many were first timers at Cornerstone. Many expressed the difficulty they were experiencing just to survive and provide for themselves and their families the basic necessities. Cornerstone cannot provide the welfare assistance required by many of these people and already the feedback is coming from state and federal funded agencies that they are running out of funds because the needs are so great. Unfortunately there is little we can do about it despite years of lobby activities to release from the Federal Government adequate funds to meet the welfare needs faced by the ordinary battler day by day. When I first came to Cornerstone several years ago the government was trumpeting the great state of the economy and that has continued. Australiašs AAA rating that brings a smile to the face of the Treasurer has not been translated into help for the poor and needy. The situation for many is worse. Since the panacea to solve the nationšs ills, the GST, prices of food and other items have soared. There always appears to be funds for wars, and overseas trips, fridge magnets, mass mailouts etc but little to assist the average Aussie to put bread on the table and to feed the kids. As the queue at our lunches grows, as the welfare dollar is pared back to the bone how long can the non funded agencies such as Cornerstone continue to provide a service? Time alone will tell. DRUG SEMINAR: Paul Briscoe inconjunction with the Dandenong Drug Action Committee has organised a "Stay Alive" Seminar at Cornerstone on 4 Tuesday evenings commencing on February 18th. These informative nights assist the general public to understand the various issues involved from a variety of different angles. Over 30 people have attended the first three sessions. The final session will be on Tuesday March 11 at Cornerstone, corner of Mason and Walker Sts Dandenong from 7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. AGM: The programs will recommence on Monday 3rd February with the first luncheon held on Wednesday 5th. The Board of Management will hold a planning day on Saturday February 1st. ATTENDANCES SOAR AT LUNCHEONS: The first Drop in for the year at the beginning of February saw a marked increase in numbers as compared to December 2002. Two weeks into the program a Wednesday lunch saw 130 fed. This is indicative of the need in the community with many people attending Cornerstone for the first time. Local agencies report unprecedented numbers seeking welfare assistance as the new school year commences. The drought has resulted in higher food prices and many are finding their average food bill increasing by 25% as compared to this time last year. Over all there has been an increase in people attending all of Cornerstonešs programs as more and more people seek help. FIRST SUNDAY ENCOUNTER ATTRACTS 65 PEOPLE TO A SAUSAGE SIZZLE ON SUNDAY MARCH 2ND. Originally planned for Lysterfield Lake as a special outing using the ERMHA bus and private cars the breaking of the drought over Melbourne metropolitan area put paid to that idea. Due to the heavy rain it was decided to hold the sausage sizzle at Cornerstone. A big thank you to those volunteers who gave up their Sunday to make this function happen. The Drop in was opened at 10.00 a.m. and was soon abuzz with people as young as 12 and over 65 enjoying the friendship and the Drop In activities. Cornerstone volunteers Jimbo and Felix cooked the meal which included soup, the sausage and hamburger sizzle and sweets. The Drop in closed at 2.00 p.m. with many commenting on why this was nšt done more often as so many have nowhere to gather on a Sunday. Cornerstone has another 5 such events planned for 2003. URGENT NEED: Increased attendances have meant that there has been a run on our supply of teabags and coffee. Supporters, churches etc can assist by having a collection for us. The ANZ finance section in Dandenong had a whip round and provided tea and coffee as part of their monthly support of Cornerstone and this saw us through a lean patch as we commence 2003. DONATIONS: In kind donations can be felt at Cornerstone on a Wednesday and Friday between 8.30 am and 1.00 p.m. Cheques can be made out to Cornerstone Coffee Shop and sent to the Treasurer : PO Box 358 Dandenong. 3175.
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| Cornerstone operates under the business name Cornerstone Contact Centre Inc. (AOO29459A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
