Food on the table

$30k grants to fight hunger

MORE than $30,000 in grants have been awarded to local organisations to help feed Geelong.

Give Where You Live’s annual Feed Geelong grants have been announced, with 10 groups awarded a share of $33,755 to address food insecurity.

Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive Bill Mithen said the grants pool was raised through the annual Feed Geelong appeal, which raises funds for organisations assisting with food insecurity.

“There are thousands of men, women and children in our community who are going hungry each and every day,” Mr Mithen said.

“It’s tremendous to know that the vulnerable people of our community are supported by our region’s emergency food relief system.

“Many of these organisations are struggling to oper- ate, relying on small budgets and volunteers. It’s our job to now support them through the Feed Geelong Appeal.”

Geelong Food Relief Centre and Forrest and District Neighbourhood House were the big winners, each receiving $5000 to bolster their food programs.

Geelong Mums received a grant of $3580 to support improved access to nutritious food for babies and young children through the purchase of baby formula and bottle and breastfeeding equipment.

Other grant winners included OneCare Geelong, Samaritan House Geelong, Lazarus Community Centre, St Mary’s Parish Pantry, Uniting, Eat Up Australia and Bethany Community Support.

A 2014 report from the Give Where You Live Foundation, Food for Thought: A Needs Assessment of Food Assistance in the Geelong Region, found about 370,000 meals were provided by the food assistance system in Geelong each year.