Foundation donates $20,000 to FoodShare
The Fairley Foundation yesterday announced it would donate $20,000 to Shepparton FoodShare.
Fairley Foundation deputy director Carmel Johnson said the foundation, chaired by Andrew Fairley, was more than happy to assist the Shepparton community at this difficult time.
‘‘We believe that this is a time when we can support the community in a very practical way,’’ she said.
‘‘We know that the community has supported the Fairley Foundation over a long period of time and this is an opportunity for us.
‘‘When Shepparton needs us, we support them as a community.’’
The significant donation is a collaboration with the Greater Shepparton Foundation and will go towards providing food deliveries and other essentials to those in isolation.
Greater Shepparton Foundation chief executive Cheryl Hammer said the organisation was pleased to be able to help the community during this challenging time.
‘‘We have a long history of working together to try and meet the needs in the community,’’ she said.
‘‘Shepparton FoodShare and the work that they’re doing at the moment, getting food and food boxes out to the community was the best place to provide that funding.’’
About a third of Shepparton’s population is in isolation amid the city’s outbreak and delivery services have been considerably affected.
Shepparton FoodShare operations co-ordinator Grace Grieve said the demand for aid from the organisation had increased by 70 per cent.
At its current rate, close to 450 food hampers a day are being delivered.
‘‘This $20,000 enables us to purchase staples like pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, rice,’’ she said.
‘‘And some cooked meals from local businesses that are really doing it tough as well which we’ll put in our packs that go out.’’
Ms Grieve said anyone struggling in the community should reach out to FoodShare through the Shepparton Department of Health and Human Services office or GV Cares for support.
‘‘Please don’t struggle, support is available,’’ she said.
‘‘The referrals come to us, we put the parcels together with our volunteers and then we send the packages out.’’