Every parent of a learner driver knows the struggle: finding ways to reach the mandatory 120 supervised hours before the driving test. Aptly reinforced by Sharon Lowe, “Driving around aimlessly to gain the 120 hours required gets quite mundane. FoodFilled’s Learners program gives purpose to your drives.” But what if those hours could be spent doing something truly meaningful? Watch this short video to see how learner drivers can turn every hour on the road into an opportunity to make a real difference.
Enter FoodFilled’s new L-Plater Volunteer Initiative—a novel program that grants learner drivers the ability to achieve their required hours while making a tangible impact on their community. Instead of driving recreationally – without purpose, L-platers can now combine their road time with volunteering to rescue surplus food and deliver it to charities supporting the most vulnerable Australian communities. By doing this, the carbon footprint generated from the driving is offset by redirecting food waste from landfill to those in need.
A New Way to Earn Driving Hours
FoodFilled has pioneered a volunteer-centric approach of tackling food insecurity and food waste. Our operation is simple but effective: volunteers collect surplus food from retailers and deliver it to charities in need. Now, we’re extending this initiative to L-platers, who can complete these shifts alongside their parents or guardians. This presents an opportunity for young drivers to contribute to society and minimise environmental harm while meeting their driving requirements—turning what was once a mundane necessity into an enriching experience.
Young people engaged in volunteering often develop a deeper appreciation for social issues and are more likely to continue philanthropic efforts into adulthood. So, they ultimately gain driving experience while simultaneously building empathy and awareness through exposure and engagement with social and community issues.
Why It Matters
The impact of this initiative is profound, addressing several critical local issues at once:
– Fighting Food Insecurity: Over 3.32 million Australians live below the poverty line, including 761,000 children. In Melbourne alone, 622,000 people require food support. By rescuing and redistributing food, learner drivers help ensure that more people have access to meals.
– Reducing Food Waste: Australia discards 7.3 million tonnes of food each year, contributing to 5% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Our initiative directly combats this by preventing perfectly good food from going to waste.
– Environmental Benefits: Typically, driving 120 hours solely for practice contributes significantly to fuel consumption and emissions – equating to roughly 1,055 kg of CO2. However, by integrating volunteering into their practice hours, learner drivers are using fuel for a dual purpose—reducing food waste and aiding those in need. This effectively halves the environmental impact.
More Than Just Driving
This initiative is not just about accumulating hours; it’s about fostering a culture of giving and responsibility in young Australians. It also strengthens the bond between L-platers and their supervisors. Instead of a repetitive, aimless driving session, learners and their guardians work together towards a shared goal—helping the community.
How to Get Involved
Getting started is simple. If you’re a learner driver or a parent of one, you can sign up to become a volunteer with FoodFilled here. After the quick onboarding process, volunteers can select designated routes to pick up surplus food from FoodFilled’s partner retailers and deliver it to local charities. Each shift counts towards supervised driving hours and contributes to making a significant impact on food insecurity and waste reduction.
About FoodFilled
FoodFilled is a Melbourne-based, volunteer-centric food rescue charity dedicated to reducing food waste and combating food insecurity. By collecting surplus food from retailers and redistributing it to those in need, we strive to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Want to get involved? Visit www.foodfilled.org or contact us at info@foodfilled.org. Let’s make a difference, one meal at a time.
