Foundation steps in to help keep Bellarine charity open

An urgent grant of $40,000 has been made to a local charity that prepares and donates meals to those in need. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Feed Me Bellarine’s income has been dramatically reduced and circumstances were threatening its operation.

They approached the Geelong Community Foundation for urgent help, to support rent for the premises and other operational overheads for the next 12 months.

Gail Rodgers, the Foundation’s CEO said today “We stand ready to help charities around the Region to help navigate through this pandemic and respond quickly to urgent community needs. This is one such service that is providing much needed support to many families and individuals”.

The Feed Me Bellarine manager, Lana Purcell acknowledged the lifeline the grant has provided. “The demand for our meals has never been higher yet lack of income has threatened our short-term survival. We are so appreciative of this grant and this will enable us to keep providing up to 800 meals per day in the foreseeable future”.

Established late last year, Feed Me Bellarine designed a new way to tackle food waste with over 40 volunteers carefully working to help prepare meals.

Gail Rodgers added “Every year, more than 50 community organisations across the Geelong region receive grants from the Foundation. Our grant-making focus has shifted to emergency mode to ensure funding is directed to areas most significantly impacted by COVID19, such as food security, mental health and isolation”.

The Geelong Community Foundation has a corpus of over $25 million from donations made by generous families and individuals. Income derived from this capital has funded over $8.7 million in community grants since 2001.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss how you can help the Geelong Community Foundation, phone Gail Rodgers 0431 059905 or email gail@geelongfoundation.org.

‘Feed Me Bellarine’ is located in Sinclair Street Ocean Grove. For help, or to offer help, go to their Facebook page @feedmebellarine

 

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