Foundation helps keep Bellarine charity open

THE Geelong Community Foundation has provided an urgent donation of $40,000 to help a keep a local charity’s doors open.
The Foundation made the donation to Feed Me Bellarine, an organisation which provides meals for people in need.
A Geelong Community Foundation spokesperson said coronavirus had caused a significant reduction to Feed Me Bellarine’s income, which was threatening its operation.
Geelong Community Foundation has provided financial help to support Feed Me Bellarine’s rent and other operational overheads for the next 12 months.
“We stand ready to help charities around the Region to help navigate through this pandemic and respond quickly to urgent community needs. This is one such service that is providing much needed support to many families and individuals,” the Foundation’s chief Gail Rodgers said.
Feed Me Bellarine’s manager Lana Purcell said the grant had provided a lifeline for the organisation.
“The demand for our meals has never been higher yet lack of income has threatened our short-term survival,” Ms Purcell said.
“We are so appreciative of this grant and this will enable us to keep providing up to 800 meals per day in the foreseeable future”.
Feed Me Bellarine designed a new way to tackle food waste with more than 40 volunteers carefully working to help prepare meals.
“Every year, more than 50 community organisations across the Geelong region receive grants from the Foundation.
“Our grant-making focus has shifted to emergency mode to ensure funding is directed to areas most significantly impacted by COVID19, such as food security, mental health and isolation.”
The Geelong Community Foundation has a corpus of more than $25 million from donations made by generous families and individuals. Income derived from this capital has funded over $8.7 million in community grants since 2001.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss how you can help the Geelong Community Foundation, phone Gail Rodgers 0431 059905 or email [email protected].
Feed Me Bellarine is located in Sinclair Street Ocean Grove. For help, or to offer help, head to their Facebook page @feedmebellarine