Another few minutes and 100 families in Orange could have been going without food.
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Vandals attacked Glenroi’s Community Centre in Garema Road on Friday night.
The centre is home to FoodCare, Glenroi Community Group, the Merge program and Narcotics Anonymous.
FoodCare is a not-for-profit group which provides discounted groceries and free milk and bread to 100 families.
Quick action by Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters meant FoodCare’s stock was saved.
Volunteers were left shaken, shocked and disappointed when they discovered the centre had been damaged.
FoodCare’s volunteer co-ordinator Anne Hopwood said the shop would be open on Tuesday but wouldn’t be offering refreshments.
“We will be open,” she said.
“We are going ahead (Tuesday), we do want to let all our customers know, we now get over 100 people a week, 100 people are relying on us to be open.
“All due to an amazing band of volunteers who just said, ‘well let’s do it’.”
A dozen volunteers arrived at 9.30am on Monday to clean up after the fire.
“It was just shock and disappointment that it had happened and to be met with such a mess and wondering if we’d lost stock,” Mrs Hopwood said.
Volunteers feared they’d lost all the stock which had been ready for those in need.
“When we saw it on Saturday, we agreed to email our volunteers and ask them to come around today and help us clean up,” Mrs Hopwood said.
She said anyone who wanted to make donations could get details from FoodCare’s website at www.foodcareorange.org.au.
Councillor Ron Gander said the arson attack was a “slap in the face”.
He encouraged anyone who knew anything, to share the information with police and Orange City Council.
“For this to happen it sets everyone back a long way but it also has a mental affect on people,” Cr Gander said.
“I would also appeal to the people, you will hear rumours around the place, and this facility is for you and if you hear anything could you please pass it on?”
Council is assessing the damage and expects some meetings held in the centre would be moved.
Anyone with information can provide it anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.