MOUNT Gambier City Council has pledged over $42,000 to the city’s Foodbank SA branch to secure essential food support services across the region for decades to come.
At its June meeting, council resolved to present the food relief organisation with a $42,750 cheque to assist the freehold purchase and improvement of Foodbank’s Cave Road facility.
The decision follows City Council, Wattle Range Council and Grant District Council meeting with Foodbank late last year to discuss a total funding request of $75,000 from all three councils.
While formal decisions on funding availability from Grant District Council and Wattle Range Council remain pending, Cr Steve Perryman said City Council should lead on the issue.
“I think we should lead on this and we should provide the assistance now,” Cr Perryman said.
“The organisation hasn’t asked for a great deal of financial support from council and does a fantastic job providing food for less fortunate people in our community.
“My understanding was that it be conditional on all three councils – if one didn’t agree to fund there would be no obligation for the other two councils, but I think we should just provide the allocation and give them some certainty from this council at least.”
Since it was established in 2004, the charity has distributed 978,711 kilograms of groceries to front line agencies and schools across the South East to feed disadvantaged locals – sufficient food to create 1.9 million meals.
Foodbank SA founder and general manager Leigh Royans said securing freehold premises for Limestone Coast services was a priority objective for the charity.
“We are fortunate to have a Foodbank-friendly landlord, a long-time supporter who was first introduced by inaugural chair of the local Foodbank service, the late Barry Maney OAM,” Mr Royans said.
“The Limestone Coast Foodbank operations had a wonderful local patron and leader in Barry and his personal effort and influence will live on forever through the outcomes of Foodbank’s services within the community.
“We plan to raise the required capital funding to acquire the property from the owner over the next 12 months and, once secured permanently for the Limestone Coast community, we will then also plan some upgrades to our freezer and coolroom facilities.
“All funds raised for this purpose will be used to purchase and improve the Regional Foodbank property at Cave Road – local funds stay local, helping local people.”
Mr Royans said ensuring donations flowed back into the community had been fundamental to Mr Maney – a commitment the pair had agreed on when they met some 15 years ago.
“His successor, David Millard, is well aware of this commitment and it is equally important all local businesses and community members understand this fundamental commitment.”
Foodbank SA’s capital spend on the Cave Road property purchase and upgrades to the freezer and coolroom is estimated at around $400,000.
Grant District Council Mayor Richard Sage said elected members were waiting on further information from Foodbank SA, while Wattle Range Council Mayor Peter Gandolfi said a funding contribution would be discussed during budget deliberations on June 29.
