Local schools receive grant to help feed families

Penrith Community Kitchen received $9845 as part of the Stronger Communities Program (SCP) Round 8 grant, to support nine local schools with a new fridge each to store perishable items, and to provide a new pantry for up to seventeen local schools. A future stage to the grant will make available emergency relief hampers.

The project was supported by Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, Federal Member for Lindsay, to provide ongoing vital support to students and their families in Lindsay.

“All children deserve a good education, and helping to fuel young minds and ensuring the wellbeing of students is a priority of mine, starting the day with a good breakfast is so important,” said Mrs McIntosh.

“It’s telling that the cost of living crisis is really hurting right now when there is a rising need by the community for support. Even families on double incomes are struggling to get by and people are increasingly relying on food charities.”

The SCP provides a Federal grant of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local government areas for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.

Mrs McIntosh added, “I am so glad there are supportive charitable services like Penrith Community Kitchen activating this program, and for the contribution from local organisations ABCOE, Saints Leagues Club, and Commonwealth Bank’s Penrith branch, who will be stocking the school pantries in the short term.

“We are extremely grateful that good organisations give back to the community, and that Penrith Community Kitchen has the connection of support for this collaborative venture with our local schools.

“For many families, the local school is the key place that takes social barriers away, it’s where the community can get together and lean on one another for help during times of hardship.

“The Penrith Community Kitchen school outreach program is a wonderful way that ensures students, and their families, will not only be provided with a meal, but also feel cared about. It’s such a hard time financially for so many.”

Mrs Gai Hawthorn OAM, a board member of Penrith Community Kitchen and CEO of Penrith CBD Corporation, said the grant was a great step to delivering nutrition to disadvantaged school communities.

“We express our gratitude for the continuous support provided by Melissa McIntosh MP and the Federal Government in aiding the Penrith Community Kitchen, which assists our vulnerable community in times of need,” said Mrs Hawthorn.

“Their dedication and concern for the local community play a crucial role in ensuring that no one in the Penrith community goes without food.”

One of the first schools to receive the benefits of the funds granted to Penrith Community Kitchen was Braddock Public School, who are about to launch an innovative ‘Flexi Hub,’ which will create a safe and inclusive environment for school community members.