In the days leading up to the ex-cyclone, as strong winds intensified, the team worked tirelessly to distribute as many meals as possible before conditions worsened. When the power went out, freezers initially kept the meals at a safe temperature. However, with uncertainty about how long the outage would last, the team quickly decided to donate all remaining meals to local evacuation centres.

Chris Watt, Manager at Tweed Community Support Inc – Meals on Wheels Tweed, reflected on the decision: “The decision to donate the meals to the evacuation centre was made when the cyclone was at its worst. It was really good to see that the meals were put to good use and not wasted. This is not the first time we have donated meals, we did a similar thing during the floods of 2022. The community really appreciates having a service such as ours that can step up and provide the care that is needed. A special thanks to all that assisted on the day.”

With the help of Surf Life Saving NSW, along with available staff from Meals on Wheels Tweed and their families, the meals were delivered to a local evacuation centre housing up to 200 people. In total, 1,853 units were donated, including just over 1,000 main meals, as well as small meals, soups, and desserts. The centre also provided meals for those who could remain in their homes but had no means of cooking due to the power outage. Additionally, some meals were used at the Tweed command centre to feed SES personnel, the NSW Police Force, and the Army. This donation ensured displaced residents had access to meals during a challenging time, preventing waste and offering much-needed relief.

Chris Watt shared that on a recent meal delivery he did, he spoke to some individuals who had been evacuated to Murwillumbah and Kingscliff evacuation centres. They spoke highly of the meals provided to them and were given some meals to return home with.

This crisis highlighted the strength of community spirit, as organisations and volunteers came together to support those in need. Now, Meals on Wheels Tweed is fully operational again, and the team is actively checking in on the community to ensure everyone is safe and supported.