Foundation grants to give helping hand

Foundation Platinum Partner AWA Alliance Bank's Gavin Heathcote (far left) and Foundation CEO Bill Mithen (far right) with Father Lankiri Thaba, Jan McGowan and Ruth Christian from Christ Church. Photo: SUPPLIED

GIVE Where You Live Foundation (GWYLF) will provide $215,000 to 13 local organisations supporting emergency relief across the Geelong region.

Geelong Food Relief Centre, The Outpost, Lazarus Community Centre, Christ Church and Samaritan House are among the recipients of the foundation’s latest grant round.

The organisations will receive grants of up to $20,000 to promote food security and homelessness assistance.

Christ Church will be putting the funds towards promoting healthier eating habits by ensuring people can at least have two pieces of fresh fruit with their meal.

Community Meals coordinator Jan McGowan said the grant would ensure fruit can be part of its free seven-day breakfast and evening meal programs.

“Fresh fruit is a fundamental requirement in any healthy diet. We are incredibly grateful for the funding from the Give Where You Live Foundation which is helping to ensure that everyone in our community has access to healthy food options.”

“We can now have regular access to fruits like bananas, which are crucial for many of the people who visit us and have poor dental health because they are softer and easier to eat compared to fruits like apples

“This grant comes at a critical time as the number of people seeking food relief through our Community Meals Program continues to increase. We recently served a record 69 people.

“This is not just making a difference; it’s making it possible.”

GWYLF chief executive officer Bill Mithen said the impact of these grants would help provide much needed relief to those doing it tough.

“As the cost of groceries and living expenses continue to rise, so does the number of people in our community reaching out to food relief and homelessness agencies for support.

“Through our Community Choice Program, the Foundation collects real time data and over the past three months we’ve seen a 15 per cent increase in the number of people who are seeking support due to cost-of-living pressures.

“These grants are only possible thanks to our generous donors, corporate partners, thousands of workplace givers and other supporters and we thank them for helping the Foundation to create a fairer G21 region.”