Gem Spotlight - Matt Donovan
Matt Donovan has a heart of gold and a passion to make a difference. As the founder of Food For Change, he is on a mission to alleviate food insecurity in Australia. Let’s find out more about the man behind this important cause.
Can you share a little about Food For Change, and any recent news/wins, etc We are just about to hit 2 million meals provided to hungry Australians! This is a crazy number and I honestly thought at the beginning that 10,000 would be incredible.
How did you get into the 'for purpose' sector?
If you’d told me in 2015 that I would be running my own charity, it would’ve been difficult to believe. I’d always grown food before, but never on a large scale. In 2016 after my marriage ended, I made the tough decision to shut down the company & move to Melbourne. While deciding what to do next, I began volunteering at food relief organisations, and it was then that my worlds collided.
“I had a day where my son wanted a snack. He went for a banana, but he’d already eaten them all. And I thought, ‘What happens when you spend your weekly allowance on food, but it’s not enough? What do you do?” From my time volunteering, I knew that all too often, people go to a charity for assistance, but there wouldn’t be enough food there either.
It wasn’t the first time I had come face to face with homelessness/food insecurity. A few years earlier, I learnt that my father experienced homelessness, stemming from difficult times and cancer treatment, and during this time he cut off contact. It wasn’t until I went to the hospital that I understood the full extent of what he had been going through and found out that Mission Australia had been housing my dad for the last year or so, previously he had been on the streets. When I moved to Melbourne, I was still reeling from what I had learnt. I hadn’t told anyone, because I didn’t know how to deal with it. I was fortunate to have money and time to work through things. That space allowed Food for Change to be born.
What was your previous career/s and what motivated you to move into this?
Previously had worked in a variety of jobs from pizza delivery to yoga instructor on cruise ships! Also had a recycling company and a cleaning company. I moved because of the above reasons and just wanted to give back.
How do you stay focused and motivated?
I'm not always motivated or focused, but in those moments where I need to be I always just take time to reflect on how lucky I am, maybe read a little or take a short walk and then start with the smallest task possible, get that done and the rest seems to take care of itself after that!
What an achievement for all involved at Food For Change… so close to 2 million meals
(Screen shot of counter from FFC’s website)
What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight?
My proudest accomplishment is Food For Change and the number of meals we have been able to provide. On a personal note - my son.
What is the best career advice you've received?
Not really advice, but my Dad once said that he still didn't know what he wanted to be and that kind of took the pressure off me when I was looking at Uni courses and making career choices.
What is the key career advice you give to others, particularly leaders in social enterprise or 'for purpose' sector?
Just to trust yourself and your vision. So many people will have thoughts on what and how you should do things, but only you will know the right way to go.
If you could invite 3 guests to dinner, who would they be?
My Dad, Hemingway, Richard Branson - between the 4 of us it would be a fun night!
What is your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere I can swim in the ocean, I find it really resets me.
What did you dream of being when you were a child?
I wanted to run my own businesses and create things.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Wake up with no alarm, have a beautiful breakfast with my son and partner, followed by a swim at the beach, read a book, have a nap and finish off with a beautiful dinner with family and friends. I also wouldn't complain if the setting was the Maldives.
What is your favourite movie / book?
So many - one I am reading at the moment which is great to dip in and out of is called "The Wisdom Of Sundays" By Oprah
What's your favourite food?
That's the toughest question so far! Not sure I have one! I would have to say Mexican & Italian depending on my mood!
You can find out more about Food For Change here: https://www.foodforchange.org.au/