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Grants to boost food relief efforts in Yarram and Maffra to address growing food insecurity challenges across communities

Grants from the $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program support Yarram and Maffra Neighbourhood Houses, enhancing food pantry services, community gardens, and education programs to address growing food insecurity.

By news@gippsland - 6th January 2025 - Back to News

Communities facing food insecurity will have increased access to healthy food thanks to grants awarded through the Allan Labor government's Community Food Relief program. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced that Yarram Neighbourhood House and Maffra Neighbourhood House will be included in the latest round of grants.

Local Grants enhance the Community Food Relief Program addressing cost-of-living pressures with accessible, healthy, and culturally appropriate food

Community food grants

Yarram Neighbourhood House will receive $42,250 in the latest round of grants, allowing staff to buy food for community meals and food pantry programs, as well as improving pantry storage. Funds will also cover an expansion of the community gardens with new beds and shade structure for workshops, alongside volunteer training and community education.

$13,000 has been allocated to Maffra Neighbourhood House, also to expand their community garden, and purchase food to supplement donations for the food pantry and hampers. The Neighbourhood House will also be able to buy kitchen equipment to support community lunches and education programs.

Food relief funding

Community organisations and neighbourhood houses will receive up to $50,000 for individual projects and up to $75,000 for partnership projects to distribute fresh food and pantry staples. The $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program includes Local Grants announced today, and Coordination Grants announced in October, helping to respond to the rising demand for food relief amid cost-of-living pressures experienced by individuals and families.

Since 2020, the Labor government has invested more than $56 million to strengthen Victoria's food relief system, including support for six Regional Food Shares. In addition, $3.3 million in operational funding is provided to Foodbank Victoria each year. To see the full list of funded projects, visit Victoria State Government website.

Local food relief

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "Our wonderful community organisations have local knowledge and connections, and these funds mean they can provide food relief where it's needed most."

Yarram Neighbourhood House Manager Cathy Cook said, "Cost-of-living has significantly increased the need for food relief in Yarram over the last year. This grant allows us to work with community organisations in town to streamline the services we provide."

Pictures from Tom McIntosh MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com