Powerful backing for SoupBus

R&J Batteries is ringing in over a quarter of a century of the company by providing support for a local community initiative.

The backing will come in the form of annual donations towards the On Track Foundation’s SoupBus, which provides regular meals to people facing food insecurity.

R&J Batteries was established in Ballarat, and operations manager Shelley Williams said the assistance will allow the company to give back to the community that’s backed them.

“Our managing director Ray Robertson was very keen to make sure we provided support to a local organisation,” she said.

“He really wanted to give back to the community that has supported him through all those times and the SoupBus seemed the perfect fit.

“We’ve all had some tough times over the years with COVID. Not everyone has come out the other end as well as others so need for the SoupBus is greater than ever.”

Since its founding in 1996, R&J Batteries now has 27 locations and the company’s products are stocked at over 8000 stores.

R&J Batteries joins 25 local organisations that regularly contribute to the On Track Foundation, including Ballarat Community Health, Oscars and Ballarat and District Trotting Club.

Ms Williams said support for the On Track Foundation was driven by the foundation’s needs.

“It’s very easy for us to say we have staff that can volunteer but we wanted to know what they needed from us,” she said.

“There’ll be ongoing promotion as well and bits and pieces like that through our social media, and we’re fortunate to be in a position to be able to do this.”