TWO businesses have partnered with Millicent Community Learning Centre to provide students with barbecue supplies for fundraising and nutrition purposes.
George Street Gourmet Meats and Foster’s Foodland have donated meat to the centre, a portion of which will be sold at an upcoming barbecue fundraiser.
Learning centre manager Gemma Winterborn said the George Street butcher supplied sausages and burgers for an upcoming fundraising event at Millicent Lights Up on November 23.
The proceeds from the barbecue will go towards the centre’s programs.
“George Street Gourmet Meats did not hesitate to help us and as they are a new business we were just blown away by their generosity, it’s just awesome,” Ms Winterborn said.
Butcher and proprietor Luke Kompo was inspired to help the centre and give back to the community.
“People have been good to us since we have been here and so we wanted to do this for the community,” he said.
“We have also helped out with the recent pedal prix and a sausage sizzle at Sheoak Lodge.
“It is great what the learning centre does for the youth in Millicent.”
Foster’s Foodland also donated sausages after learning some of the centre’s students could not afford lunch when undertaking labour work at Noorla Yo-Long or work experience.
“We always like to do what we can for the community so we agreed straight away when the centre asked us to help out,” Foster’s Foodland manager Dave Foster said.
Learning centre volunteer driver Neville Wray said he and Noorla Yo-Long program manager Senior Constable Mick Ringwald would pay for lunches out of their own pocket.
“These kids are out there doing outdoor labour, often for hours at a time and they need that energy,” he said.
Ms Winterborn said the centre’s 100-strong cohort had overcome adversity to pursue studies and do work experience.
“We have set up a garden where they are growing fresh produce and Andy’s Bakery helps out with bread and rolls,” she said.
“The students are learning how to cook and prepare nutritious food for themselves and we have recipes in our newsletters.
“With these lunches they’re at least getting the iron and protein they need to keep working throughout the day.”
The students have also been grateful for the help they have received from the community.
Kurtis Job said it was “like having a reward”.
“It helps clear our heads when we’re not hungry,” student Rhys Rigney said.
