Foodshare pilot program to continue after $20k boost

UNDER-the-pump community food relief provider Bendigo Foodshare has rejoiced after recently being gifted a $20,000 grant through the CommBank Staff Foundation’s Community Grants Program.

Local CommBank employee Alex Kharoofa nominated the not-for-profit. He had previously donated to Bendigo Foodshare and nominated the charity due to their local purpose.

CEO Michelle Murphy said she welcomed the news as “demand continues to increase, sadly.”

“People are doing it really difficult out there in the community,” she said.

“We’re doing our best to respond but grants such as (this) are really helpful in terms of enabling us to make an even bigger impact and respond further.”

Ms Murphy said the money will go directly towards an innovative pilot project Foodshare’s been running for the past six months – the Good Food Market.

In the first four months of the project, over $6000 and 850 kilograms worth of fresh, local, seasonal, healthy and culturally appropriate produce was purchased through 140 gift card redemptions.

“This funding effectively will enable us to run it for another 12 months,” Ms Murphy said.

“The $20,000 will be used to issue food relief gift cards to people in need by some of our existing food partners, including the Bendigo Community Health Service Refugee Settlement Program.

“The recipients can bring them here to Breen Street and exchange them for fresh produce that’s been grown by our young people who are learning skills in growing food, school groups and others that have been attending our urban farm in Strathfieldsaye.”

As Christmas approaches, Ms Murphy encouraged anyone who is able to to donate however much they can.

“It’s not just the lead up to Christmas, it’s that time immediately afterwards,” she said.

“There’s no (more) funds available to pay the bills, to pay for rent and put food on the table.

“On the back of that, people are starting to prepare their children for school with the cost (burden) of books and uniforms; at the very same time a credit card statement, for example, might be arriving.

“So, resourcing our partners with food in that two to three weeks after Christmas is when it’s really, really critical.”

To donate or find further information regarding the Good Food Market, visit the Bendigo Foodshare website.