THE Limestone Coast Foodbank Hub has welcomed a $100,000 Federal Government boost to help purchase the leased building and expand operations.
Foodbank SA chair Simon Schrapel said the purchase of the Cave Street facility would allow the not-for-profit hunger relief organisation to continue to help those in need of food relief in the region.
Mr Schrapel said since the Limestone Coast Foodbank’s Food Hub opened in 2017, 112 tonnes of food equating to a quarter of a million meals had been distributed.
The hub provides a further 100 tonnes of food, comprising 40pc fresh fruit and vegetables, to community groups in the South East.
“Foodbank SA continues to play a pivotal role in the Limestone Coast community as it grows its presence to distribute more food to more people than ever before,” Mr Schrapel said.
“This funding will be used to help purchase the facility from the current owners so we can expand the building.
“In particular we are seeking to expand our cool room and freezer capacity to accommodate more fresh fruit and veg and frozen products including meat and help to offset our operating costs with the installation of more solar panels.
“By being able to purchase the building, Foodbank will be in a position to undertake these needed upgrades.”
Mr Schrapel praised the Federal Government, singling out Member for Barker Tony Pasin for “making this happen”.
“The funding announced today, combined with the support of local donors and the councils in the Limestone Coast region will enable Foodbank SA to purchase the current property this year and undertake the developments to allow us to further grow our services to the community,” he said.
Mr Pasin announced the funding at a gathering at the Cave Street premises on Wednesday night, saying the hub had outgrown its current facility.
“This funding will help make this happen so the invaluable service can support more people when they need it,” he said.
“The late Barry Maney OAM and his wife Shirley were instrumental in the establishment of this regional food hub and it is one of Barry’s great legacies.
“I am thrilled that we can continue to honour this legacy by helping the organisation expand its services.”
Last year, Mount Gambier City Council granted the charity an extension on funding provided in 2017, with Foodbank receiving $42,750 to support the freehold purchase and improvement of the facility.
The Federal funding has now pushed Foodbank’s fundraising for the purchase over the half way mark, with the organisation saying more work needed to be undertaken to reach their goal.
Foodbank called on supporters and other organisations to get behind the charity by donating or purchasing a Foodbank Lottery ticket.
