While the Coast may be slowly returning to some semblance of normality, for many residents the financial fallout from COVID-19 is still a grim reality and one local neighbourhood centre is helping ease the burden.
When pandemic restrictions came into effect Kariong Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) launched a popup market to help Kariong families get by.
Run from the KNC carpark every Wednesday afternoon, the SecondBite popup market was intended as a way for residents to pick up a few bits and pieces during the height of quarantine, but seven weeks on the market has grown exponentially, with residents now able to grab everything from fresh fruit and veg to winter blankets and even a new pair of jeans, all for free.
KNC General Manager, Shayne Silvers, came up with the idea for the market and said she’s been blown away by its growth.
“We started SecondBite because we knew there’d be a real need for a service like this during the pandemic and we’ve just been amazed at the generosity from businesses all around the Coast,” Silvers said.
SecondBite is also a way for Kariong residents to overcome feelings of isolation which Silvers said are rampant among the community.
“I’ve heard it said that even though Kariong’s only 9kms from Gosford it sometimes feels like 90km.
“For all of the suburbs up past Gosford there’s a real sense of isolation.
“There’s also a lot of people who’ve been hit really hard by COVID-19 and its aftermath.
“The big thing the KNC is hearing is how many people have lost their jobs and are struggling to support their families, and I’m really happy and proud that the KNC is able to assist them.
“My mantra is that if you can make a difference to one person you’ve succeeded in life, so seeing SecondBite take off feels like I’ve won the lottery,” Silvers said.
Silvers was also full of praise for the team of volunteers whose efforts ensure the markets thrive.
“SecondBite would not be possible without every volunteer – they’re all worth their weight in gold,” she said.
Silvers gave special mention to John and Bev Zappia, who she said were the market’s principal donation collectors and who are always on hand every Wednesday to help with setting up and packing away.
In a nod to Kariong’s community spirit, Silvers said the KNC was also welcoming more volunteers into its ranks who want to help with SecondBite.
Indeed, the market has grown so successful that the KNC has now extended an invitation to the communities of surrounding suburbs to stop by if they’re in a pinch.
Silvers assures anyone interested in checking out the market that physical distancing and sanitising procedures are in full effect.
The market has also attracted interest from Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, who Silvers said will be paying a visit to next week’s popup to see the community goodwill in action.
With the microscope on SecondBite, Silvers is hoping the initiative could help kickstart more interest in developing the KNC as the invaluable community asset it is.
“When the KNC was first built there were around 1600 people living in Kariong.
“Today there’s 6500 and we’d like to be able to do more for the community but we’re pretty much at capacity at the moment,” Silvers said.
“The reason we hold SecondBite in the carpark is because we can’t do it in the KNC.
“It’s bursting at the seams, so in the future we’d like to see an extension take place so we can do more with the space,” Silvers said.
Source:
Interview, Jul 1
Shayne Silvers, KNC
Reporter: Dilon Luke