Marcel De Maria is nominated for this year's Westfield Local Hero Awards in recognition of his work providing thousands of loaves of bread to those in need across the inner west.

Marcel established Gift of Bread in 2007 and now rescues over 160,000kg of bread from landfill a year. Gift of Bread re‑distributes rescued bread from local bakeries and donates it to over 200 local community organisations, churches, nursing homes, food vans, soup kitchens, school programs, and outreach services.

COVID 19 has placed unprecedented pressure on local community organisations in my electorate, who have become a lifeline for many, particularly those facing food insecurity. During the pandemic, Gift of Bread volunteers have dropped off pallets of bread to St Brigid's Outreach Centre in Marrickville, The Marian Centre Women's and Children Crisis Accommodation, and The Exodus Foundation in Ashfield.

I know for community groups in my electorate the support they have provided inner westies wouldn't have been possible without a reliable delivery of bread from Marcel. Congratulations on your well-deserved nomination Marcel, and thank you for your tireless work throughout this pandemic and into the future.