Financial aid for food relief

AS Uniting Ballarat prepares to relocate their Breezeway Meals Program to a new site, the Ballarat Commandery of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem helped out with a financial contribution.

As an emergency food relief program, Breezeway is currently moving into the newly refurbished shopfront on Albert Street to increase their accessibility to the community.

To aid in the organisation’s necessary operations, the members of the Order of St. John gifted the effort $2850.

Breezeway coordinator Jennifer Wright said the donation is vital and helps provide food for those who need it most.

“For 24 years, Breezeway has run without government funding and we source our food from places like Foodbank, Second Bite, Aldi, Woolworths, and we also rely on the local community’s fantastic support,” she said.

“June to September, the demand increased by an additional 47 per cent, which means around 300 meals and take home packs a day.

“It’s exciting times for us and funding like this makes such a difference, makes it so much easier and more people can support us.”

In support of the charitable initiative, Order of St. John commander Val Sarah AM said her organisation was eager to support Breezeway for those experiencing difficulties, especially during the pandemic.

“This initiative embraces so many people in need, people with disabilities, people with no food or money,” she said.

“It’s an embracing organisation that affords dignity to those who people who are probably experiencing the worst times of their lives.”