West Pennant Hills resident Michelle Kew has used income from running a local community food Hub to quietly change lives - including her own - showing how small, flexible micro businesses can create powerful outcomes for women and their communities.
After more than 30 years focused on unpaid caring roles, including fostering more than 300 children over two decades, Michelle began running a local Box Divvy food Hub three years ago.
Box Divvy is a community-run grocery network where local Hubs operate as small micro businesses, connecting people with affordable, seasonal food while allowing Hub operators to earn an income that fits around their lives.
Since starting her Hub, Michelle has saved enough from her Hub income to buy two second-hand cars - each worth $5,000 - for people in need. One went to a refugee couple. The other went to a woman leaving a violent relationship.
“She had two young girls and no way to get to work or get them to school,” Michelle said. “I’d been supporting her through church, going with her to Legal Aid and to court while she separated from her partner. She was learning to drive, but she had no car.”
After saving steadily, Michelle purchased a car from her own mother and delivered it to the woman’s home.
“That car meant she could work, take her girls where they needed to go, and start again,” she said.
The moment was also significant personally. Married for 33 years, Michelle had spent much of her adult life focused on unpaid caring roles, including fostering children, rather than paid work outside the home.
“While we’ve always shared finances, earning my own income through the Hub felt different,” she said. “Having my own bank account and something I was responsible for was exciting and freeing. It gave me a real sense of independence and choice.”
Michelle’s Hub now has more than 40 members and supports weekly Kindness Boxes - bags of groceries that go to people doing it tough, including single mums, women leaving domestic violence and families in social housing.
Through her church, the Box Divvy food Hub also contributes to food hampers for local schools supporting children with additional needs. Last Christmas, that support included 40 hampers, stationery, toys, games and holiday activities, all sourced through the Box Divvy food Hub.
Box Divvy Co-Founder Jayne Travers-Drapes said Michelle’s story reflects the intent behind the model.
“Box Divvy was designed to give everyday people - often women - a way to run a small, flexible micro business in their own community,” she said. “We see many women earning alongside caring responsibilities, gaining financial confidence and using that income in ways that reflect their values.”
“When that income flows back into the community, particularly to support other women, it shows the strength of local, people-centred models.”
For Michelle, the impact is ongoing.
“It’s empowering to earn my own money, and it’s empowering to support other women,” she said. “A lot of the support goes to single mums. It feels like women helping women, in very practical ways.”
This International Women’s Day, Michelle’s story highlights how access to flexible income opportunities can support women’s independence, connection and capacity to create change - both for themselves and for others.
Issued by Lanham Media on behalf of Box Divvy
Media Contacts:
Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758
Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908
Available for interview:
· Jayne Travers-Drapes and Anton van den Berg, Box Divvy Co-founders
· Local members or Hubsters in NSW, VIC or ACT on request. Check locations here
General media assets available here
Photos of Michelle available here
About Box Divvy
Box Divvy is a community-driven food co-op that connects households with fresh, seasonal produce and healthy pantry staples. With over 330 local Hubs across NSW and the ACT, and expansion into VIC, it’s a simple and affordable way to shop - no membership fees, just a regular commitment to order. Each Hub is run by a neighbour, and members collaborate to reduce waste, share deliveries, and keep costs low. By supporting mostly Australian and local suppliers, Box Divvy helps families eat well, live more sustainably, and make food choices they can feel good about. Find out more at boxdivvy.com
