A Mount Gambier/Berrin charity will get a cash injection to help ensure Limestone Coast children don’t go hungry.
Spare Ya Change for Kids (SYC4, which supplies nutritious hot meals to schools and learning centres across the Limestone Coast, is the latest recipient of the state government’s Thriving Communities grant program.
The charity creates pre-prepared lunch and dinner meal packs which are distributed to schools to ensure students’ learning is not compromised by hunger.
SYC4K currently supports 25 of the 41 schools in the Limestone Coast region along with Foodbank, and it will receive $23,500 to support the development of a website to improve accessibility, assist with volunteer coordination, reduce potential food waste and to support their operations.
Chair Di Ind said she was extremely grateful”for the support provided to us by the Thriving Communities Fund.
“With more than 35,000 meal packs created and distributed since our inception, the funding provided will help our volunteer organisation to directly address issues of food insecurity which in turn leads to improved wellbeing, concentration and learning in our schools,” she said.
“Studies have highlighted that 1 in 5 school aged children don’t have access to sufficient or nutritious food.
“It’s great that our wonderful hardworking volunteers can be supported by a funding grant investing locally and enabling us to take direct action to address this problem.”
She said the money will help to run the organisation, raise awareness and to be more accessible.
“SYC4K is well aware that there are financial pressures along with individual circumstances which can lead to food insecurity,” Ms Ind said.
“As a result, we are regularly assessing our offering and responding in a meaningful way.”
Earlier this year, the state government allocated an additional $800,000 to the Thriving Communities Program following its popularity in 2023.
Now, 23 projects have had their applications granted as a result of the extra funding.
South East Christian Broadcasters, which runs the community based radio station Lime FM has been allocated a $22,772 grant to replace their outdated computers and equipment.
The station airs educational and assistance programs about mental health, family breakdowns, financial assistance and positive relationships.
Minister for primary industries and regional development Clare Scriven said the government was pleased to be able to support dozens of organisations from across regional South Australia through the Thriving Communities Program.
“Spare Ya Change 4 Kids does a great job in providing meal packs for students who may otherwise go hungry, impacting their wellbeing and their education,” she said.
“This grant will help to streamline co-ordination and improve accessibility, helping schools and students across our region.
“We know that the resilience of the whole community is crucial to ensuring our regions thrive.”
