Empty Esky stops in Narooma to fill up on local food and products for Black Summer firefighters - Bega District News

The team from Empty Esky is on the road to bring awareness to the campaign and encourage people to travel to rural and regional areas and support local businesses again. The idea for the non-for-profit organisation came in early January of 2020 following the Black Summer bushfires. When ACM spoke to co-founder/director of Empty Esky Erin Boutros, she was on the road travelling the coast after a stop in Narooma to fill up on supplies, which will be distributed to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) in Shoalhaven later in the day. "We got into Narooma late last night and went to the Whale Inn for dinner and all had the fish of the day- tuna steaks. It had great views too!" Ms Boutros said on Wednesday, March 17. "We stayed at Amooran Oceanside Apartments and Motel and then this morning we had breakfast at the Narooma Ice Creamery Cafe. I had a tart, but they've got a nice little selection of yogurts too." They will still be stopping in Lake Conjola Wednesday evening and continue to fill up on supplies, but have already stopped for produce in Eden, Tilba and Mogo and Batemans Bay. They have visited bakeries, delicatessens and lolly shops and filled up on goodies like jam, honey, pasta and olives. With financial support from Jeep, the Empty Esky team have been able to spend up generously in local towns in order to then distribute the bags of goods back to the firefighters and their families. Ms Boutros said the aim of the trip was, "to pump some money into the local businesses and give back to the people who served last year." "When you go and speak to people who have had it really tough, you think this is why we are doing what we do" "It's been humbling to be able to speak to these people and hear their stories firsthand. We are only giving them produce and I wish we could do more, but it's a start." "If you want your town to be registered as an Empty Esky town or own a business, you can register it on our website. It takes less than 60 seconds and we will get you up on the map. "For bigger businesses who would like to donate, you can contact us from our website and we can put together some ideas on how your business can help regional communities."

The team from Empty Esky is on the road to bring awareness to the campaign and encourage people to travel to rural and regional areas and support local businesses again.

The idea for the non-for-profit organisation came in early January of 2020 following the Black Summer bushfires.

When ACM spoke to co-founder/director of Empty Esky Erin Boutros, she was on the road travelling the coast after a stop in Narooma to fill up on supplies, which will be distributed to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) in Shoalhaven later in the day.

"We got into Narooma late last night and went to the Whale Inn for dinner and all had the fish of the day- tuna steaks. It had great views too!" Ms Boutros said on Wednesday, March 17.

They will still be stopping in Lake Conjola Wednesday evening and continue to fill up on supplies, but have already stopped for produce in Eden, Tilba and Mogo and Batemans Bay.

They have visited bakeries, delicatessens and lolly shops and filled up on goodies like jam, honey, pasta and olives.

Empty Esky's route will take them up the NSW East Coast to various towns and town centres, including Narooma.

With financial support from Jeep, the Empty Esky team have been able to spend up generously in local towns in order to then distribute the bags of goods back to the firefighters and their families.

Ms Boutros said the aim of the trip was, "to pump some money into the local businesses and give back to the people who served last year."

"When you go and speak to people who have had it really tough, you think this is why we are doing what we do"

"It's been humbling to be able to speak to these people and hear their stories firsthand. We are only giving them produce and I wish we could do more, but it's a start."

Co-founder/directors Eleanor Baillieu and Erin Boutros give collected goods to frontline CFA firefighters who defended Mallacoota during the fires that claimed 100 homes and the lives of two people. Picture supplied

"If you want your town to be registered as an Empty Esky town or own a business, you can register it on our website. It takes less than 60 seconds and we will get you up on the map.

"For bigger businesses who would like to donate, you can contact us from our website and we can put together some ideas on how your business can help regional communities."

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Empty Esky stops in Narooma to fill up on local food and products for Black Summer firefighters - Bega District News
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